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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 adware by 21 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:
1.41.0.0

MD5:
0ec31f61674eeb898aa036cea0f5e64b

SHA-1:
9ceadb0e3fafde17bd82adbb0a8a633a613c8763

SHA-256:
df029473067e14315c2e7ca98cd4c96acdf3de6a68d2e0de14f92c55c7b06c59

Scanner detections:
21 / 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 6:52:15 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

avast!
Win32:Malware-gen
2014.9-140604

AVG
Skodna.Downloader
2015.0.3453

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1464

Bkav FE
W32.Clod543.Trojan
1.3.0.4562

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18020

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.4164
9.0.1.0155

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
8.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
6/4/2014

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

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_for_advanced-systemcare.exe (Adware)
2014.8.22.13

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.177.12013

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3761

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.06.04.06

McAfee
Artemis!A8C46A158B9D
5600.7109

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.h
14.6.4.18

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14602

SUPERAntiSpyware
PUP.SoftonicDownloader/Variant
10563

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1230
7.2.155

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
26466

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.185276
2.0.0.1775

File size:
349.7 KB (358,048 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.0.0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish

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 2:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 1:59:59 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:
5/21/2014 5:24:17 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:+q/DXvPnQXWYyl8i3vi38Jg8gD8DeBw9qxoIM85YVAem0elVoSFI0B2IaS:+qTnQVSvi3RD8Daw9bINe9elVoSF3r

Entry address:
0xEED40

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 30, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, E0, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, ED, C8, 0E, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 3D, BD, 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:
7.9606  (probably packed)

Code size:
308 KB (315,392 bytes)

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

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

http://dplus.softonic.de/ud-client/2382/25000/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

http://vlc-media-player.softonic.de/universaldownloader-launch?WL=2382

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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