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softonicdownloader_for_readplease.exe

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_readplease.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 1 anti-malware scanner with very strong indications that the file is a potential threat. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

MD5:
851bb8d1f7181399db2390a036c24e30

SHA-1:
02ff97e33b76a3e3458b5d1f748085e5de5f0dc9

SHA-256:
974d708e8c9fd2babcc77d43dac8168ccd3a1299a2f52e65c7bf1ab0a75f237c

Scanner detections:
1 / 68

Status:
Potentially unwanted

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 6:02:18 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic (M)
16.8.8.8

File size:
281.3 KB (288,032 bytes)

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_readplease.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/6/2009 8:00:00 PM

Valid to:
9/7/2011 7:59:59 PM

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 2009-2 CA, OU=Terms of use at https://www.verisign.com/rpa (c)09, OU=VeriSign Trust Network, O="VeriSign, Inc.", C=US

Serial number:
707E68E6802EEDABC3757C9005AC1028

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
3/10/2011 6:49:27 AM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:J5lcktOSZ830R+sstXIjuRVXM15eHbUoSQEG:J5lNtOSZ830OI31cHbUoSQEG

Entry address:
0x4BB200

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, B0, 87, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 60, B8, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 15, 93, 4B, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, F0, 01, 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:
7.9495  (probably packed)

Code size:
260 KB (266,240 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_readplease.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://universal-downloader.en.softonic.com/36000/36367/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_readplease.exe

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