GridinSoft Threat Intelligence
soda.exe threat report
GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection
Detected by GridinSoft before you download
The current ThreatInfo record shows this exact file hash detected as Hijack.Explorer. Download GridinSoft Anti-Malware to scan the device, confirm whether this file is present, and remove the detected object if it is found.
- Detection name
- Hijack.Explorer
- Recommended action
- Scan and remove
- Last analysis
- 2026-03-31 23:00:51 (2 months ago)
- File hash
- 8a06cc199e4cb1470b3b3573f86dc9a6
Why it matters
Why GridinSoft flags this file
GridinSoft identifies the sample as Hijack.Explorer, part of the Hijack threat category.
Browser, shortcut, proxy, or system-setting changes that redirect user activity. Related Hijack reports help compare this file with nearby detections, publishers, and hashes.
First seen 2026-03-31 23:00:50 (2 months ago); latest analysis 2026-03-31 23:00:51 (2 months ago).
Company metadata: Avanquest Software. Product metadata: Soda PDF Desktop 14.
Signed by 7270356 CANADA INC.. The signature is reported as valid, but signed files can still be bundled or abused.
ThreatInfo has seen this file in user or system paths listed below. Unexpected locations increase the need for local verification.
Recommended action
What to do next
- Compare the MD5 above with the file found on the device.
- Check whether the file appears in the observed locations or under one of the alternate names.
- Run GridinSoft Anti-Malware to confirm the detection and remove the file if it is present. Review the Hijack category for related samples and common context.
File context
soda.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Soda PDF Desktop 14. The reported company name is Avanquest Software. The current detection status is Hijack.Explorer, based on the latest analysis from 2026-03-31 23:00:51 (2 months ago). ThreatInfo groups this verdict with Hijack reports for broader family-level investigation.
If soda.exe appears on your computer unexpectedly, treat it as suspicious. Check its location, digital signature, and recent system changes before allowing it to run. A full anti-malware scan is recommended when this file is detected as Hijack.Explorer.
File Details
| Product Name: | Soda PDF Desktop 14 |
| Company Name: | Avanquest Software |
| MD5: | 8a06cc199e4cb1470b3b3573f86dc9a6 |
| Size: | 3 MB |
| First Published: | 2026-03-31 23:00:50 (2 months ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2026-03-31 23:00:51 (2 months ago) |
| Status: | Hijack.Explorer (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2026-03-31 23:00:51 (2 months ago) |
Detection screenshot
The screenshot is a visual record of a GridinSoft Anti-Malware detection for this sample. Use the hash and metadata above as the primary identifiers when comparing the file on your system.
Overview
| Signed By: | 7270356 CANADA INC. |
| Status: | Valid |
The signature on soda.exe is reported as valid. A valid signature helps confirm publisher identity, but it does not automatically make the file safe if the installer was bundled, abused, or downloaded from an untrusted source.
Common Places:
| %programfiles% |
ThreatInfo has observed soda.exe in the locations listed above. Files found in temporary folders, user profile folders, startup locations, or unusual application directories should be reviewed more carefully than files installed under a known program directory.
Geographic signal
Observed country distribution
ThreatInfo has seen soda.exe across 1 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.
The strongest geographic signal for this file is Germany with 100.0% of observed hits. Geographic distribution can help identify targeted campaigns, regional software bundles, or where a file is most commonly reported.
OS Version:
The most common operating system signal for soda.exe is Windows 10 with 100.0% of observed hits. If your system differs from the common profile, check whether the file was introduced by a specific installer, archive, or removable device.
Analysis
soda.exe is identified as pe for 64-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows GUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.
PE Sections:
Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.
2eb8e54ab1b3940bda7cf10bee7ac5d4
e9faefb3aead723c5af371250d243a82
3e855a5fe0bcfaa001efcba3b95c4c2d
1c183ece95c2109ab192f2317aeddac8
ad0905bc45d9c7b9edbe6cf2bda2f76f
1c00dc30e840cddbc9593d8cf6a26a12
PE section names and hashes can reveal packing, injected resources, or unusual build artifacts. Sections with uncommon names, very large raw data, or hashes that differ from a trusted copy deserve additional review.
Report conclusion
GridinSoft detects this file as Hijack.Explorer
This report identifies soda.exe by MD5 8a06cc199e4cb1470b3b3573f86dc9a6. It is part of the Hijack report group. If the same file is present on your device, scan the system and remove the detected object after confirming the hash and location.