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softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.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_windows-live-messenger.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 12 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:
1.40.6.0

MD5:
d169895e898687d23cde7523c1e6137f

SHA-1:
1756420da8003ecb8cd28b655057ded44031cee8

SHA-256:
3fd0e4099d6ab6a2cc1ebb633c1f820defc3caca15c6fd6b343411406ab3df8b

Scanner detections:
12 / 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:
4/16/2024 8:20:40 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.14410

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
18047

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.2454
9.0.1.0100

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9639

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
4/10/2014

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.04.10.11

McAfee
Artemis!D169895E8986
5600.7165

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.n
14.4.10.11

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14408

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0331
7.2.100

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
28034

File size:
377.8 KB (386,912 bytes)

Product version:
1.40.6.0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

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:
3/24/2014 6:50:33 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:tp/+u6pKpXQoVqfBP1J7xTy04vFaIvI66zZuOP/rDt4iAUKFCx8NVlMW8eGoSyj/:61cBQzJ7hy0UwfHaNDVlfGoSyH8g/

Entry address:
0x52CC70

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, A0, 8D, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 70, B2, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 00, AA, 52, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 5F, 2C, 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:
7.9618  (probably packed)

Code size:
336 KB (344,064 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 2 URLs.

http://dplus.en.softonic.com/ud-client/51000/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.exe

http://windows-live-messenger.en.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

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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