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
- 2022-08-27 23:42:10 (3 years ago)
- File hash
- 9ae2d72af04db06eb512f961ec6b5ea2
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 2022-08-27 23:41:51 (3 years ago); latest analysis 2022-08-27 23:42:10 (3 years ago).
Company metadata: Avanquest Software. Product metadata: Soda PDF Desktop 14.
Signed by Avanquest Software (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 2022-08-27 23:42:10 (3 years 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: | 9ae2d72af04db06eb512f961ec6b5ea2 |
| Size: | 3 MB |
| First Published: | 2022-08-27 23:41:51 (3 years ago) |
| Latest Published: | 2022-08-27 23:42:10 (3 years ago) |
| Status: | Hijack.Explorer (on last analysis) | |
| Analysis Date: | 2022-08-27 23:42:10 (3 years 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: | Avanquest Software (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 Ukraine 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.
40d820235f65c04121c9360f2202e8e4
98573fd47a3a0d6aced4ca5e86291caf
b779ddb25c387cb584a10dca3eb878d4
f5e87d669e1583a4fd81c5151127cf30
5119b42b5284e2806585a378e42b1614
360e2e5e10cdb4e114499e8411634e75
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 9ae2d72af04db06eb512f961ec6b5ea2. 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.