softonicdownloader_for_nero-2014.exe

Softonic Downloader

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager that bundles the original software from the Softonic.com web site along with additional offers, mostly ad-supported browser extensions and utilities. While the original product is most likely clean, the Softonic Downloader is considered a PUP. The application softonicdownloader_for_nero-2014.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 8 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. The file has been seen being downloaded from nero.en.softonic.com. While running, it connects to the Internet address static.sd.softonic.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
Softonic  (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.41.3.2

MD5:
fd941e9c1cf8572959296d30af8b8cb8

SHA-1:
813efe1581f4439ed58df810a447c00c74ca6bc0

SHA-256:
474a7bc605c4fd833c809a7eb1b6ca9244e32cc3cc47ee229ad027ce1095e23c

Scanner detections:
8 / 68

Status:
Adware

Explanation:
Softonic Downloader is a download and install manager that provides users to the Softonic web site the ability to download 3rd-party software. During the installation the installer will show sponsored offers such as adware type toolbars and web browser extensions as well as other potentially unwanted applications. This type of software is typically known as an adware co-bundler. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This is also known as bundleware, or downloadware, which is an downloader designed to simply deliver ad-supported offers in the setup routine of an otherwise legitimate software.

Analysis date:
4/26/2024 6:36:40 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
9.10170

F-Prot
W32/Softonic.C2.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.181.12872

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.1823

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2015.06.27.10

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.SoftonicDownloader (M)
15.6.27.10

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
31720

File size:
358.3 KB (366,912 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.3.2

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\programs\softonicdownloader_for_nero-2014.exe

Digital Signature
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 3:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 2:59:59 AM

Subject:
CN=Softonic International, OU=Digital ID Class 3 - Microsoft Software Validation v2, O=Softonic International, L=Barcelona, S=Barcelona, C=ES

Issuer:
CN=VeriSign Class 3 Code Signing 2010 CA, OU=Terms of use at https://www.verisign.com/rpa (c)10, OU=VeriSign Trust Network, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US

Serial number:
67C1FF44C765ABDA26027A6DCA52BA11

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
7/23/2014 10:55:03 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:N2AyTsbEovl1cUtb8rRj7Z1h97q9N9PKyMcRNtiwkmZ0GVE4M/vlsoS7I0K0ZJGZ:NRPvlFal7Z5qf9CyUCZ0CFM/eoS7C8g

Entry address:
0xF7070

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 08, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 6B, E0, 04, 00, 56, 83, C3, 04, 53, 50, C7, 03, 03, 00, 02, 00, 90, 90, 90, 90, 90, 55, 57, 56, 53, 83, EC, 7C, 8B, 94, 24, 90, 00, 00, 00, C7, 44, 24, 74, 00, 00, 00, 00, C6, 44, 24, 73, 00, 8B, AC, 24, 9C, 00, 00, 00, 8D, 42, 04, 89, 44, 24, 78, B8, 01, 00, 00, 00, 0F, B6, 4A, 02, 89, C3, D3, E3, 89, D9, 49, 89, 4C, 24, 6C, 0F, B6, 4A...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9608  (probably packed)

Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_nero-2014.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

The executing file has been seen to make the following network communications in live environments.

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to static.sd.softonic.com  (46.28.209.70:80)

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to screenshots.com.sftcdn.net  (46.28.209.55:80)

Remove softonicdownloader_for_nero-2014.exe - Powered by Reason Core Security