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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. 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 a potentially unwanted program by 9 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. This file is typically installed with the program Ares 2.2.5 by Seekar Ltd.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 40, 1, 0

MD5:
e13cb2399cdbc906f6f274a6df333112

SHA-1:
b3bd6fed6f51ea4165fa20d1cdee4f7778d3cb03

SHA-256:
131699fc4cdb7cf244e543fb913483b8a3afc0ad07d79a8b3c3f1f62a1c08649

Scanner detections:
9 / 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 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:
4/26/2024 8:42:00 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Bkav FE
W32.Clod37e.Trojan
1.3.0.4613

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.011

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9251

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_for_skype-portable.exe (PUP)
2014.1.26.17

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.01.11.09

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.CC
14.2.21.13

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14109

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1113
7.2.11

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
25324

File size:
392.3 KB (401,736 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

Language:
Spanish

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 9:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 8:59:59 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:
67C1FF44C765ABDA26027A6DCA52BA11

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
11/12/2013 7:47:15 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:ZTHiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSNC8X:ZTHEkBORij4+yrrlL+0CC

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...
 
[+]

Code size:
352 KB (360,448 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe has been discovered within the following program.

Ares 2.2.5  by Seekar Ltd
Publisher's description - “Ares is a free open source bittorent and chat program that enables users to share any digital file including images, audio, video, software, documents, etc. You may now easily publish your files through the Ares peer to peer network.”
aresgalaxy.sourceforge.net
About 1% of users remove it
 
Powered by Should I Remove It?

The file softonicdownloader_para_ares.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 4 URLs.

http://universal-downloader.softonic.com/21000/21824/.../SoftonicDownloader_para_ares.exe

http://ares.softonic.com/universaldownloader-launch

http://dplus.softonic.com/ud-client/21000/.../SoftonicDownloader_para_ares.exe

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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