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softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe

Softonic Downloader

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager localized to Spagnolo 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_para_ares.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 27 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, 37, 0, 0

MD5:
91a1e431132e3e8c454e90d55c702724

SHA-1:
6e6953c72a616ad9decffd66307860a72da9f95f

SHA-256:
1537f439ee296ec142e7cbd93eabadd2a20eb85086d85ea77937783bc8a66574

Scanner detections:
27 / 68

Status:
Adware

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 is an installer which may bundle legitimate applications with offers for additional 3rd-party applications that may be unwanted by the user. While the installer contains an 'opt-out' feature this is not set be defult and is usually overlooked.

Analysis date:
4/19/2024 9:08:46 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AhnLab V3 Security
Adware/Win32.Softonic
2013.10.10

AVG
Softonic
2016.0.3001

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.15830

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.SoftonicDownloader.A
21741

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.804
9.0.1.0242

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
9.7925

Fortinet FortiGate
Adware/SoftonicDownloader
8/30/2015

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

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
15.8.25

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_fuer_format-factory.exe (Adware)
2015.10.27.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.204.16151

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.1501

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2015.08.30.08

McAfee
Artemis!27E1A0F1964A
5600.6657

MicroWorld eScan
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.D
16.0.0.726

NANO AntiVirus
Riskware.Win32.Downware.cwfvqw
0.28.0.60253

Quick Heal
PUA.Softonicin.Gen
8.15.14.00

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.SoftonicDownloader (M)
15.8.30.20

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.15828

SUPERAntiSpyware
PotentiallyUnwanted.SoftonicDownloader
9659

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.R047H07A515
7.2.242

Trend Micro
TROJ_GEN.FCBCBLB
10.465.30

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
40872

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.202785
2.0.0.2135

File size:
370.2 KB (379,056 bytes)

Product version:
1, 37, 0, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2012

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spagnolo (Spagna, ordinamento internazionale)

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/1/2011 7:30:00 PM

Valid to:
9/6/2013 7:29:59 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:
11/28/2012 11:39:30 AM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:B8P2sQeEwGhnCL/gC3UY1cued4ZRXDWXT+lKt4nEX6R0UHiRke/642xN4Sh+s1/c:XeEqL/g4uxd4jEwKt4m6R0dkeyV4Sdlc

Entry address:
0x150210

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, D0, 4F, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 40, F0, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 0A, E6, 14, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 02, 32, 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...
 
[+]

Code size:
336 KB (344,064 bytes)

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

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

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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