softonicdownloader_for_endnote.exe

Softonic Downloader

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager 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_for_endnote.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 14 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. The file has been seen being downloaded from sd-cf.en.softonic.com and multiple other hosts. While running, it connects to the Internet address static.sd.softonic.com on port 80 using the HTTP protocol.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 40, 1, 0

MD5:
72291bfbaee44fe720c52901badd2e73

SHA-1:
ba00a715abcab187f777306231f58be1b3dd829c

SHA-256:
eaff357d7d53b4166921dd3ac98d6f80a2a87743d330a11cc43a5bd87a4de460

Scanner detections:
14 / 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:
11/24/2024 10:15:30 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.05190

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.F potentially unwanted application
7.0.302.0

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

G Data
Win32.Adware.Softonic
14.9.24

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13407

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
15.0.0.494

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.04.06.10

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.cytqdt
0.28.2.62151

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.EE
14.2.5.23

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Huer!1.9E03
23.00.65.14404

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1208
7.2.96

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
24638

File size:
392.3 KB (401,728 bytes)

Product version:
1, 40, 1, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2013

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_endnote.exe

Digital Signature
Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/3/2013 8:00:00 AM

Valid to:
10/3/2015 7:59:59 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:
11/12/2013 5:47:15 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:TTHiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSNJ8K:TTHEkBORij4+yrrlL+0Jl

Entry address:
0x15F630

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 90, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 80, EF, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 9D, D9, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 24, 66, 05, 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...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9636  (probably packed)

Code size:
352 KB (360,448 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_endnote.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

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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