softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.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. 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_windows-live-messenger.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 8 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:
f8c6297c99526885e907b6b205794067

SHA-1:
0bee3a8d064c96a6c7b5bc7a7076774430c6cca1

SHA-256:
7a97e6327adb27d95fdc8219710b8835e87d2822ad8f64b9c1c05acb14b9a499

Scanner detections:
8 / 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 is an installer which may bundle legitimate applications with offers for additional 3rd-party applications that may be unwanted by the user. While the installer contains an 'opt-out' feature this is not set be defult and is usually overlooked.

Analysis date:
4/19/2024 2:40:07 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.052

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9330

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.02.21.09

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.n
14.2.21.9

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14219

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1202
7.2.52

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
25728

File size:
392.3 KB (401,760 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

Language:
Spanish

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\programs\softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.exe

Digital Signature
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

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

Valid to:
10/3/2015 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:
67C1FF44C765ABDA26027A6DCA52BA11

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
11/12/2013 12:47:15 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:sTHiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSNX8b:sTHEkBORij4+yrrlL+0X0

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_windows-live-messenger.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

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)