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softonicdownloader_para_ares.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_para_ares.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 21 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, 38, 0, 0

MD5:
d0afedf9fb001b7daafb47c5e60f6f6d

SHA-1:
257f8bd077605a4f8dd5a230b65e3d8793552b3a

SHA-256:
29a135ae19a9eb1c51f5cd2a4c548e18e8534336f366479f3435fac589769158

Scanner detections:
21 / 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:
4/18/2024 5:19:50 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
Trojan.Strictor
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
Adware/Win32.Softonic
2013.10.10

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1523

Bkav FE
HW32.Laneul
1.3.0.4246

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1132
9.0.1.034

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
9.8566

Fortinet FortiGate
Adware/SoftonicDownloader
2/3/2015

F-Prot
W32/A-1b2ffd18
v6.4.7.1.166

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
15.2.24

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13662

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2015.02.03.07

McAfee
Artemis!584DD196DBED
5600.6865

MicroWorld eScan
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.D
16.0.0.102

NANO AntiVirus
Riskware.Win32.Downware.cwfvqw
0.28.0.60253

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic
15.2.3.19

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.15201

SUPERAntiSpyware
PotentiallyUnwanted.SoftonicDownloader
10075

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0921
7.2.34

Trend Micro
TROJ_GEN.FCBCBLB
10.465.03

Vba32 AntiVirus
Worm.Trafaret
3.12.24.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
19582

File size:
383.8 KB (393,032 bytes)

Product version:
1, 38, 0, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2012

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spanish

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/1/2011 7:00:00 PM

Valid to:
9/6/2013 6:59:59 PM

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:
2A56CB1B389346B3ED08FF404A771E62

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
4/10/2013 4:30:00 AM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:v+kyx4qt2sNXun8u5LDouAVRpi0TfhvAdrELKlKRyq7KA2voSillK0ZJGV:v9pS2sNXlu5Ei0LFAxELTRK9oSiK8u

Entry address:
0x1554B0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 10, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 00, F0, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 24, 39, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, AB, 44, 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:
7.9631  (probably packed)

Code size:
344 KB (352,256 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 2 URLs.

http://sd-cf.softonic.com/21000/21824/.../SoftonicDownloader_para_ares.exe

http://ares.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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