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softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.exe

Application Installer

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 7 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.7.7

MD5:
8fd1b9ad0bf20d9d82cc2b6bc46b9a59

SHA-1:
c8aa41a9c7ccf9129eef4abae74fbd551cd0d54b

SHA-256:
bca7a65a188158bfd4a8044a3876c4aaab597bebc2852b2eeebef64a58b05f1c

Scanner detections:
7 / 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:
4/19/2024 3:55:18 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.141020

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.10.24

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.184.13727

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
15.0.0.494

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.n
14.10.20.7

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4786139
33706

File size:
362.2 KB (370,848 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.7.7

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

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:
10/15/2014 10:33:36 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:ForRla7B4oIlZR/zqTXtep6PxmS59mpd+GnB9az7Yn8WyDXWN0g+QVmyQoS7paq6:j78ZRrY+65mrd72A8nDXy+QTQoS7pZ6

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, 4D, 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...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9627  (probably packed)

Code size:
320 KB (327,680 bytes)

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

http://windows-live-messenger.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-flaKLp5ymk5g=

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