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softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

Softonic Downloader

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager localized to Spanish 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 a potentially unwanted program by 6 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. With this installer, users are expecting to download the VideoLAN VLC media player but before that occurs they may be presented with additional offers, mostly potentially unwanted software or adware.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 38, 0, 0

MD5:
cd6199c0c2f8a4b5b21bfb0402cbaeac

SHA-1:
9ac4c6b6ffe55c55e838de06e02c072813d0f7d0

SHA-256:
39ef8652d30d77db70055affae39cc1e21df9890a5d9246a2cd226e588a4afab

Scanner detections:
6 / 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:
4/18/2024 7:07:13 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.910
9.0.1.051

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader
8.9190

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.02.20.11

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.h
14.2.20.11

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Huer!1.9E03
23.00.65.14218

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
24798

File size:
383.8 KB (393,040 bytes)

Product version:
1, 38, 0, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2012

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish (Spain, International Sort)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/2/2011 3:00:00 AM

Valid to:
9/7/2013 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:
2A56CB1B389346B3ED08FF404A771E62

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
1/15/2013 8:22:07 PM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:DtKCjgWQ/8bGh7rJqH23Z0DVNhwATwbv4WLAsbffZ2JDi8dlg6ROJhHJxQ1OoSYJ:BKC8WQLRZ01utNj+ic0IOoSY88F

Entry address:
0x1575C0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 30, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, E0, EF, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, B2, 58, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, B1, 45, 05, 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:
7.9648  (probably packed)

Code size:
344 KB (352,256 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://dplus.en.softonic.com/ud-client/25000/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

http://vlc-media-player.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

http://sd-cf.en.softonic.com/25000/25339/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

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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