softonicdownloader_for_vmware-workstation.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_vmware-workstation.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 16 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 40, 1, 0

MD5:
59b8bf02c7615ad527ac014f21fa6d1d

SHA-1:
0f3875d6bea3ea561f4a768975233a5b3eca3956

SHA-256:
86066b2e7101df8067a8903b6e40c0f20faffa582954ffee6cc94015b13f92ff

Scanner detections:
16 / 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:
4/25/2024 12:11:06 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.141120

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
17900

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.0324

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9516

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
11/20/2014

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.177.11965

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.2919

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.11.20.03

McAfee
Artemis!3F5221D8D2D1
5600.6941

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.j
14.11.20.3

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.141118

SUPERAntiSpyware
PUP.SoftonicDownloader/Variant
10227

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0418
7.2.324

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent.bjhi
3.12.24.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
27186

File size:
392.6 KB (402,064 bytes)

Product version:
1, 40, 1, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2013

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Digital Signature
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 9:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 8:59:59 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:
11/12/2013 6:47:15 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:5THiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSN2B:5THEkBORij4+yrrlL+0I

Entry address:
0x15F630

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, EF, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 9D, D9, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 24, 66, 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:
7.9636  (probably packed)

Code size:
352 KB (360,448 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_vmware-workstation.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

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)