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softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.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_vlc-media-player.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 28 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. According to AVG, this software downloads additional adware offers during setup.
Publisher:
Softonic  (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.41.2.1

MD5:
79495daf81112643ffa81796b0e2d082

SHA-1:
7986a94fa7514f937a9b97807b35033122c44493

SHA-256:
bcaaefd84d77f78804bb1d8232efd56545214f3e46209f6bb5adfdd4c4149823

Scanner detections:
28 / 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:
4/19/2024 6:16:30 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

AegisLab AV Signature
W32.Sality
2.1.4+

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Avira AntiVirus
SPR/Dldr.Agent.bweq
7.11.156.32

avast!
Win32:Malware-gen
2014.9-140805

AVG
Skodna.Downloader
2015.0.3391

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1485

Bkav FE
W32.Clod543.Trojan
1.3.0.4562

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18041

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.5743
9.0.1.0217

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
8.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
8/5/2014

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

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_for_java-runtime-environment.exe (Adware)
2014.9.12.21

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.178.12244

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3451

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.08.05.07

McAfee
Artemis!AD09813115B7
5600.7047

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dbipmw
0.28.0.60253

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Chgt.A
14.08.05.07

Qihoo 360 Security
Win32/Virus.Downloader.cf7
1.0.0.1015

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.h
14.8.5.19

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14803

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Softonic/Variant
10439

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0420
7.2.217

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
29736

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.185276
2.0.0.1775

File size:
352.1 KB (360,600 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.2.1

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\softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

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:
7/2/2014 12:20:44 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:RdISKO8keoX19Vzc3fpG+XIGJNC+UQ3xo8xXyd1wBai37K99kRoSnYSB2IaE:ROSPjJ1L5+zp/ho8OWv37LRoSn7/

Entry address:
0xF1740

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 50, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, C0, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, ED, F8, 0E, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 38, C7, 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:
7.9615  (probably packed)

Code size:
312 KB (319,488 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://vlc-media-player.he.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-flKSHnqOglJY=

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)

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