softonicdownloader_for_whitesmoke-writer.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_whitesmoke-writer.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 11 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. The file has been seen being downloaded from whitesmoke.en.softonic.com. While running, it connects to the Internet address static.sd.softonic.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
Softonic  (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.41.3.10

MD5:
aad7f66c8a7c5fa27004eb48d18f933c

SHA-1:
132e0d02f37db680e7b7e3687a90f8928bd6f861

SHA-256:
df464daef878415cad03ec9209c71cbf08e01ee53a757330a692d93faa2bf2e6

Scanner detections:
11 / 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:
4/24/2024 5:10:52 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Downloader
7.1.1

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.6706
9.0.1.05190

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

F-Prot
W32/Softonic.C2.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13198

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
15.0.0.463

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.08.29.10

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.defxyz
0.28.2.61861

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.i
14.8.29.7

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4786139
32210

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.206994
2.0.0.1905

File size:
358.3 KB (366,928 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.3.10

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

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_whitesmoke-writer.exe

Digital Signature
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 8:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 7:59:59 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:
7/23/2014 4:18:12 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:5w9GgFlEOUStVJh8+TF+qpQ4cCsw5LfYSj/jBLvMbJ1oSWIlK0ZJGG:mIaVJ+onWXKASjjBLKoSWH8N

Entry address:
0xF7090

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 08, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 87, E0, 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:
7.9613  (probably packed)

Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_whitesmoke-writer.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)

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