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softonicdownloader_per_vlc-media-player.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_vlc-media-player.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 19 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. With this installer, users are expecting to download the VideoLAN VLC media player but before that occurs they may be presented with additional offers, mostly potentially unwanted software or adware.
Publisher:
Softonic  (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1.41.3.8

MD5:
18fb31d7cf595a8223291931c6aedd61

SHA-1:
e194a66a3e312cf0cdc1d419f3b67ee6a86099c5

SHA-256:
ccae68be7440a4658e9b5d0e847809c2b84952fca379302e97523923cb53cf9e

Scanner detections:
19 / 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:
4/25/2024 1:42:06 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.14826

Comodo Security
Application.Win32.Agent.SOFE
17978

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.6706
9.0.1.0238

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.10256

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
8/26/2014

F-Prot
W32/Softonic.C2.gen
v6.4.7.1.166

IKARUS anti.virus
PUA.Softonic
t3scan.1.6.1.0

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13054

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.3347

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.08.26.02

McAfee
Artemis!52EEF023B3DE
5600.7026

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.ddwieh
0.28.2.61721

Panda Antivirus
Trj/Chgt.D
14.08.26.02

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.h
14.8.26.14

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14824

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0507
7.2.238

Vba32 AntiVirus
Downloader.Agent
3.12.26.3

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
32216

File size:
358.4 KB (366,960 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.3.8

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_vlc-media-player.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:
7/23/2014 10:11:37 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:ACHZjp6JdDv1zL8Zy/I2uDX0H0H36LVifooS7IfK0ZJGy:A7nDtn8ZmuDEH0H36L0woS7h8d

Entry address:
0xF7060

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, 08, 59, 0F, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 5D, E0, 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:
316 KB (323,584 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_per_vlc-media-player.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://sd-cf.softonic.it/25000/25339/.../SoftonicDownloader_per_vlc-media-player.exe

http://dplus.softonic.it/ud-client/25000/.../SoftonicDownloader_per_vlc-media-player.exe

http://vlc-media-player.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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