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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. While the original product is most likely clean, the Softonic Downloader is considered a PUP. The application softonicdownloader_per_ares.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 13 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:
1.41.10.6

MD5:
aadb9a8bb61bd18b3e626dbd033bbccc

SHA-1:
d4c355f437eb902887b21df7b4eec7c3c63eb4bb

SHA-256:
d13853ec9df4511060670f286a3bd3c5f334726516c5210e70eeb1da6c1c67fe

Scanner detections:
13 / 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. 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:
5/10/2024 7:25:28 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r
2017.0.2839

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.8646
9.0.1.040

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
10.7.0.302.0

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
16.2.24

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13550

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.689

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2016.02.09.03

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.dfxnbt
0.28.2.62440

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
16.2.9.3

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:
364.3 KB (373,080 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.10.6

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:
12/16/2014 4:07:15 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:W4muAmRStto8gHBafdR3dSW6LyapvkJJIrXjL2opekgz6SpeoSYiMK0ZJGD:WQAQSte/HOdRGmap8JATyrk5SgoSYq84

Entry address:
0xFD850

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, E0, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 30, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 3E, B9, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 43, F8, 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:
324 KB (331,776 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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