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softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.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. 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_for_vlc-media-player.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 9 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer. The installer is marketed through download protals and search ads as the VideoLAN VLC media player but will also install additional software offers which include adware, PUPs and browser toolbars.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 38, 0, 0

MD5:
08b18aec9862e85ed3014bbd6ff2b825

SHA-1:
7772640774d899691ad11ef331225f50ead61e97

SHA-256:
d928234f83a2fe994c7f6d8b7798f511a7dbb86200f6379376df6ada18934a49

Scanner detections:
9 / 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 'download manager' is also considered bundleware, a utility designed to download software (possibly legitimate or opensource) and bundle it with a number of optional offers including ad-supported utilities, toolbars, shopping comparison tools and browser extensions.

Analysis date:
12/4/2024 6:22:06 PM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1132
9.0.1.081

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader
8.9653

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_fuer_computer-repair-free.exe (PUP)
2014.5.21.7

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic
v2014.05.21.07

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.h
14.3.22.12

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Heur!1.9E03
23.00.65.14519

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0511
7.2.81

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
28154

File size:
383.8 KB (393,048 bytes)

Product version:
1, 38, 0, 0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2012

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
9/2/2011 9:00:00 AM

Valid to:
9/7/2013 8:59:59 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:
2A56CB1B389346B3ED08FF404A771E62

File PE Metadata
Compilation timestamp:
4/10/2013 6:30:00 PM

OS version:
5.0

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
9.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:5+kyx4qt2sNXun8u5LDouAVRpi0TfhvAdrELKlKRyq7KA2voSil7K0ZJG6:59pS2sNXlu5Ei0LFAxELTRK9oSik8p

Entry address:
0x1554B0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 10, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 00, F0, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 24, 39, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, AB, 44, 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:
7.9632  (probably packed)

Code size:
344 KB (352,256 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://universal-downloader.softonic.jp/25000/25339/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_vlc-media-player.exe

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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