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softonicdownloader_per_vlc-media-player.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_per_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. With this installer, users are expecting to download the VideoLAN VLC media player but before that occurs they may be presented with additional offers, mostly potentially unwanted software or adware.
Publisher:
Softonic   (signed by Softonic International)

Product:
Softonic Downloader

Version:
1, 40, 1, 0

MD5:
f0c478ff8e36dfa0aecd000407f16c7b

SHA-1:
b856736178add1a53911ae0f930b537d60829659

SHA-256:
0e4f68ca131c468a9b8e9e6b6b6f5069d347a58eddcc807172f92037cdcf45c9

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. 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:
11/23/2024 5:17:57 AM UTC  (today)

Scan engine
Detection
Engine version

Dr.Web
Adware.Downware.1657
9.0.1.0363

ESET NOD32
Win32/SoftonicDownloader (variant)
7.9178

herdProtect (fuzzy)
variant of softonicdownloader_per_nokia-pc-suite.exe (PUP)
2014.1.5.20

Malwarebytes
PUP.Optional.Softonic.A
v2013.12.29.05

McAfee
Artemis!F0C478FF8E36
5600.7267

Reason Heuristics
Bundler.PPI.Softonic.h
14.2.17.1

Rising Antivirus
PE:Malware.Obscure/Huer!1.9E03
23.00.65.131227

Trend Micro House Call
TROJ_GEN.F47V1114
7.2.363

VIPRE Antivirus
Softonic Downloader
24422

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 (Spain, International Sort)

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

Digital Signature
Signed by:
Softonic International

Authority:
VeriSign, Inc.

Valid from:
7/2/2013 5:00:00 PM

Valid to:
10/2/2015 4:59:59 PM

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 1:47:15 AM

OS version:
5.1

OS bitness:
Win32

Subsystem:
Windows GUI

Linker version:
10.0

CTPH (ssdeep):
12288:BTHiFlkI9s6dRi7X4+C9rr5TLeqvkQnoSNP8A:BTHEkBORij4+yrrlL+0PJ

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_per_vlc-media-player.exe has been seen being distributed by the following 3 URLs.

http://dplus.softonic.it/ud-client/25000/.../SoftonicDownloader_per_vlc-media-player.exe

http://sd-cf.softonic.it/25000/25339/.../SoftonicDownloader_per_vlc-media-player.exe

http://vlc-media-player.softonic.it/universaldownloader-launch

The executing file has been seen to make the following network communication in live environments.

TCP (HTTP):
Connects to commoncobs.softonic.com  (46.28.209.20:80)

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