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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 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 International  (signed and verified)

Product:
Application Installer

Version:
1.41.7.18

MD5:
8a8141025aa8c35ef4b0443f881bb6f5

SHA-1:
ae4b22ce533f2ca8b8149a002196722b90c8f615

SHA-256:
751483956b2b0ddb875ed35aff6547728af7a6c8963c1f9c388f24077e55535c

Scanner detections:
1 / 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:
4/16/2024 6:02:46 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
16.6.11.4

File size:
361.8 KB (370,520 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.7.18

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:
10/15/2014 10:10:51 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:4av+0a2UBTmkoc+AmDkYlU0/Ljm9FK9CfS3wN4x7aOpdgMinK9AoS71aMK0ZJGW:cgUBmkoPDkwU0PmQCfqr7aOf9inK9AoA

Entry address:
0xFAF40

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, C0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 50, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 3E, 89, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 33, EF, 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:
320 KB (327,680 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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