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softonicdownloader_per_ares-plus.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. While the original product is most likely clean, the Softonic Downloader is considered a PUP. The application softonicdownloader_per_ares-plus.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 1 anti-malware scanner with very strong indications that the file is a potential threat. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic  (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.41.2.2

MD5:
586f4aafc75e807ace34033c891a2ee8

SHA-1:
d1a6d0983c499be1898b739e989aa079a37f58d5

SHA-256:
cb13d7762252a2f815f202a8a52e09e5f5a865ca326e5a2c537661aeb6f9c1d6

Scanner detections:
1 / 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:
5/18/2024 6:49:58 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.SoftonicDownloader (M)
16.7.20.1

File size:
351.8 KB (360,288 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.2.2

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

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_per_ares-plus.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 2:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 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:
67C1FF44C765ABDA26027A6DCA52BA11

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
7/2/2014 11:24:14 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:REGz732v6BPheasw5lBZUapTy7UG8FJjSjSca5/u2hZembKeXiPonKN/WV9OoS3k:R57GkDswBZb+7UG4EjYutmbKeXQsZOol

Entry address:
0xF1740

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 50, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, C0, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, ED, F8, 0E, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 31, C7, 04, 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:
312 KB (319,488 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_per_ares-plus.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://ares-plus.softonic.it/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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