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softonicdownloader_per_ares.exe

Application Installer

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_per_ares.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 15 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.6.3

MD5:
e1623498a0b5881cfe6cc00850da9035

SHA-1:
909a53177c90104011e5c1e59398a0e7f7dd1a23

SHA-256:
97f66ead75dd1d18c56220b543e1a4c7e117868bc902769b497b985775504fe2

Scanner detections:
15 / 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:
4/20/2024 2:08:28 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r
2015.0.3345

Baidu Antivirus
Hacktool.Win32.Downloader
4.0.3.14921

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8646
9.0.1.0337

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
8.7.0.302.0

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.9.24

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_for_animated-matrix-code-wallpaper.exe (PUP)
2014.12.3.19

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13550

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3218

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.09.21.11

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dfxnbt
0.28.2.62440

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.BB
14.9.21.11

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4150696
33624

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.222339
2.0.0.1942

File size:
358.8 KB (367,448 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.6.3

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Language:
Spagnolo (Spagna, ordinamento internazionale)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_per_ares.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:
9/15/2014 7:42:42 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:8pfZ0RmpHGRAqvokp0v9mHnpI7dJczqaycLFoBBKaP0oSdaMK0ZJGF:bRmtGzAkO9mHmRYq5cL8KZoSdi8i

Entry address:
0xF7240

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 27, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 37, E2, 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...
 
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Code size:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

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

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

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