softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

Application Installer

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. The bundled software (which is actually not included in this file but downloaded) is most likely clean, the downloader is ad-supported. The application softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.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. The installer is marketed through download protals and search ads as the VideoLAN VLC media player but will also install additional software offers which include adware, PUPs and browser toolbars.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.7.12

MD5:
9f5ae58591f78cdbb6d75222882f0e1c

SHA-1:
ba597bf5254a1cfdbad186da6526c589fdc5e023

SHA-256:
60f1052eb2d8018814b23a6fd3c0abb7498c6c1c8384b31b44f08eeb4aafbe95

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. The downloader does not modify the original software.

Description:
This 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
5/10/2024 11:07:21 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
16.6.27.5

File size:
362.2 KB (370,872 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.7.12

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

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
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 2:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 1:59:59 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 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:
10/14/2014 9:50:32 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:THkwdxTRZpKSVa/uYhK2hxhc2LFRIH4K0ujmZvGdw1hQkhCBnXz4o/99VoS7laA1:7kwhsuYhveRjmZOdw1hhhCBnD4e99Vo2

Entry address:
0xFAF50

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, C0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 50, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 3E, 89, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 41, EF, 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...
 
[+]

Code size:
320 KB (327,680 bytes)

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

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