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softonicdownloader_for_windows-essentials-codec-pack.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_windows-essentials-codec-pack.exe by Softonic International has been detected as adware by 10 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:
1.41.0.0

MD5:
c6559776de85c9d8f97c08f277a05d30

SHA-1:
243763fa3112b923848e2416b85632cf424c1577

SHA-256:
963777e2e5d0a1057e40615a5149f1167a8c934537610df51ea6e8a750a10e04

Scanner detections:
10 / 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:
12/25/2024 5:45:53 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Softonic
7.1.1

Baidu Antivirus
Adware.Win32.SoftonicDownloader
4.0.3.1473

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.4164
9.0.1.0184

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader
8.9909

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Softonicdownloader
7/3/2014

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.1712333

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.07.03.03

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.u
14.7.3.3

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V0604
7.2.184

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
30052

File size:
349.4 KB (357,736 bytes)

Product version:
1.41.0.0

Copyright:
Copyright (C) 2014

Original file name:
SoftonicDownloader.exe

File type:
Executable application (Win32 EXE)

Bundler/Installer:
Softonic Downloader

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_for_windows-essentials-codec-pack.exe

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

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

Valid to:
10/3/2015 2:59:59 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:
5/21/2014 6:24:17 PM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:1q/DXvPnQXWYyl8i3vi38Jg8gD8DeBw9qxoIM85YVAem0elVoSFI/K0ZJGd:1qTnQVSvi3RD8Daw9bINe9elVoSFz8A

Entry address:
0xEED40

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 30, 4A, 00, 8D, BE, 00, E0, F5, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, ED, C8, 0E, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, 3D, BD, 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...
 
[+]

Entropy:
7.9607  (probably packed)

Code size:
308 KB (315,392 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_windows-essentials-codec-pack.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://sd-cf.en.softonic.com/61000/61494/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_windows-essentials-codec-pack.exe

http://dplus.en.softonic.com/ud-client/61000/.../SoftonicDownloader_for_windows-essentials-codec-pack.exe

http://windows-essentials-codec-pack.en.softonic.com/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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