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. 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 15 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:
1.40.4.0

MD5:
86b6d6ad54789ffd36f91bf9e48c0705

SHA-1:
d1136ee6c966a44286e2071783d0f58bae471650

SHA-256:
ce2375538e84899f97de2422f798671993f65d255448f9d17b0daf2e072036d3

Scanner detections:
15 / 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:
4/26/2024 8:28:03 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1465

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
17956

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.2194
9.0.1.0156

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9562

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
6/5/2014

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

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.177.12061

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.06.05.07

McAfee
Artemis!D169895E8986
5600.7109

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.n
14.6.5.7

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14603

SUPERAntiSpyware
Adware.Softonic/Variant
10562

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0311
7.2.156

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
27538

File size:
380.3 KB (389,472 bytes)

Product version:
1.40.4.0

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_windows-live-messenger.exe

Digital Signature
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 10:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 9:59:59 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:
2/11/2014 1:42:04 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:7WIYLGHVAf/BkrxLvH9F9WSDe+eLm1U8EAU8cLihEEwOxn3XEHJbinIcl1B158zW:ivLCAXqxBWge+QWU8O8VK+nEHJ4Ii1B9

Entry address:
0x1527A0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, F0, 4F, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 20, F0, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 00, 0A, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 91, 37, 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:
7.9642  (probably packed)

Code size:
340 KB (348,160 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_windows-live-messenger.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)