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softonicdownloader_per_format-factory.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_format-factory.exe by Softonic International has been detected as a potentially unwanted program by 18 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:
45eea4736ba98163f72583562a57a6d0

SHA-1:
51bd89665f6f001224f66c999df2250a1a2b252b

SHA-256:
b79e6fe62e4bfe07e3cb3e7a636d6492ae911dc40fc31da3160d93de9cf9ff39

Scanner detections:
18 / 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:
1/17/2025 4:46:28 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Agnitum Outpost
PUA.Downloader
7.1.1

AVG
Adware BundleApp_r
2017.0.2862

Bkav FE
W32.Clod543.Trojan
1.3.0.4562

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.6706
9.0.1.016

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader.G potentially unwanted application
10.7.0.302.0

Fortinet FortiGate
Riskware/Agent
1/16/2016

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

K7 AntiVirus
Unwanted-Program
13.183.13272

Kaspersky
not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.Agent
14.0.0.807

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2016.01.16.04

McAfee
Artemis!2105458A6299
5600.6518

NANO AntiVirus
Trojan.Win32.Agent.defxyz
0.28.2.61942

Quick Heal
Downloader.Agent.r3 (Not a Virus)
1.16.14.00

Reason Heuristics
PUP.Softonic.Bundler (M)
16.1.16.16

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Huer!1.9E03
23.00.65.16114

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1214
7.2.16

VIPRE Antivirus
Threat.4786139
32210

Zillya! Antivirus
Downloader.Agent.Win32.206994
2.0.0.1902

File size:
391.4 KB (400,744 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:
Spagnolo (Spagna, ordinamento internazionale)

Common path:
C:\users\{user}\downloads\softonicdownloader_per_format-factory.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:
8/26/2013 10:58:15 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
6144:syFR9FeRsKSNvJiUVuDk5K6DWUETlPhyLPYr43WAgfjVL+o9nJgoSYg3K0ZJG1:sI9eSNvQxUExRrsZgbUo96oSYB8a

Entry address:
0x15E2D0

Entry point:
60, BE, 00, 80, 50, 00, 8D, BE, 00, 90, EF, FF, 57, 89, E5, 8D, 9C, 24, 80, C1, FF, FF, 31, C0, 50, 39, DC, 75, FB, 46, 46, 53, 68, 71, C9, 15, 00, 57, 83, C3, 04, 53, 68, C4, 62, 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...
 
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Code size:
348 KB (356,352 bytes)

The file softonicdownloader_per_format-factory.exe has been seen being distributed by the following URL.

http://format-factory.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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