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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. 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 6 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:
d1d36fbaa6eedda8067369c41a95e02d

SHA-1:
ca61718753b61bba67a57b538e1c69216d1e7099

SHA-256:
7856355acbbb14f494c02d7f7efa0a9f94255a1124c0339e9e105745387c84ed

Scanner detections:
6 / 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 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
4/19/2024 10:47:15 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.042

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9162

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.02.11.12

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.n
14.2.11.12

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Huer!1.9E03
23.00.65.14209

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
24264

File size:
392.6 KB (402,072 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

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:
11/12/2013 12:47:15 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:PTHiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSNuV:PTHEkBORij4+yrrlL+0Y

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 8 URLs.

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

http://windows-live-messenger.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-enaGOoZ2ompQ=

http://windows-live-messenger.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-enKaOo52kmJQ=

http://windows-live-messenger.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-enaKOn52hmZQ=

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

http://windows-live-messenger.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-enKeHp56gl5Y=

http://windows-live-messenger.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-enaGLp6Wok5g=

http://windows-live-messenger.ar.softonic.com/.../3tjQyeLV3cjDp-Hw3sCixsiGa5-enKWOnpygl5o=

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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