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softonicdownloader_para_microsoft-security-essentials.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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware 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, 35, 7, 0

MD5:
cd8749acf678b97a371f5adf2ae98b61

SHA-1:
5b3b683b78625f16334dcb13e7e035cbb030cded

SHA-256:
a4e12259be492f8dcac47348864cc31a2942321fe43736ab3b3f1c58e6c331b5

Scanner detections:
15 / 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. 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:
5/5/2024 9:47:26 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

AVG
Softonic
2016.0.3125

Baidu Antivirus
PUA.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.15429

Bkav FE
W32.HfsAdware
1.3.0.6379

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.477
9.0.1.0119

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.E potentially unwanted application
9.7.0.302.0

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

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
15.4.24

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_for_amnesia-the-dark-descent.exe (Adware)
2015.7.29.8

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.186.14161

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2015.07.29.08

NANO AntiVirus
Riskware.Win32.Downware.cwjbvr
0.28.6.63726

Quick Heal
PUA.Softonicin.Gen
4.15.14.00

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic
15.4.29.4

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.15427

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4786139
35088

File size:
364.2 KB (372,960 bytes)

Product version:
1, 35, 7, 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_microsoft-security-essentials.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/2/2011 2:00:00 AM

Valid to:
9/7/2013 1:59:59 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:
2A56CB1B389346B3ED08FF404A771E62

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
9/13/2012 12:04:51 PM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:f5cBhwrU7Nn5wnxIoGTM4/XltVvpmRT9P/XK3FoSLY1K0ZJR:BcB4U5qnxIoGTFrmRB3OFoSL38P

Entry address:
0x150950

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, 77, E5, 14, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 46, 19, 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:
332 KB (339,968 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_para_microsoft-security-essentials.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://universal-downloader.softonic.com/83000/83630/.../SoftonicDownloader_para_microsoft-security-essentials.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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