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softonicdownloader_for_windows-essentials-codec-pack.exe

Softonic Downloader

Softonic International

This is the Download Manager localized to Spanish 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 a potentially unwanted program by 7 anti-malware scanners. The program is a setup application that uses the Softonic Downloader installer.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 40, 1, 0

MD5:
95dcf2b26ce4c469f624aceb16a01cc1

SHA-1:
60292ce2f3c4482082cc04ab5cdf3060decc6d06

SHA-256:
850c52c26999f78ca135edcf29e6a7f9dd2034af2fb0a861bc90b367eba81964

Scanner detections:
7 / 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:
12/25/2024 6:11:39 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.043

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
8.9190

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2014.02.12.04

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.u
14.2.12.4

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Huer!1.9E03
23.00.65.14210

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1115
7.2.43

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
24744

File size:
392.4 KB (401,768 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

Language:
Spanish

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 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:
11/12/2013 10:47:15 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:8THiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSNm8l:8THEkBORij4+yrrlL+0mK

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...
 
[+]

Code size:
352 KB (360,448 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_for_windows-essentials-codec-pack.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 2 URLs.

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

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