GridinSoft Threat Intelligence

SearchProtocolHost.exe file report

Under review File reputation report
MD5 40a5bae94206285b1b4a223da647f8c5
Latest seen 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago)
First seen 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago)
Size 177 KB
Publisher Microsoft Corporation
Product Windows® Search

Why it matters

Evidence available for this file

Detection

No final classification is available yet.

Timeline

First seen 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago); latest analysis 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago).

Publisher context

Company metadata: Microsoft Corporation. Product metadata: Windows® Search.

Recommended action

What to do next

  1. Use the hash and metadata below to verify the exact file identity.
  2. Review publisher, signature, paths, and PE details for inconsistencies.
  3. Run a local scan if the file appears unexpectedly or starts with Windows.

File context

SearchProtocolHost.exe is a Windows file recorded in the ThreatInfo database. It is associated with Windows® Search. The reported company name is Microsoft Corporation. The current detection status is Undefined, based on the latest analysis from 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago).

ThreatInfo does not have a final classification for this file yet. Use the technical details below to compare the hash, size, signature, and observed locations with the copy found on your device.

File Details

Product Name: Windows® Search
Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
MD5: 40a5bae94206285b1b4a223da647f8c5
Size: 177 KB
First Published: 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago)
Latest Published: 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago)
Status: Undefined (on last analysis)
Analysis Date: 2021-04-23 20:07:44 (5 years ago)

Geographic signal

Observed country distribution

ThreatInfo has seen SearchProtocolHost.exe across 1 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.

Top country Algeria
Share 100.0%
Low High activity

The strongest geographic signal for this file is Algeria 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:

Windows 7 100.0%

The most common operating system signal for SearchProtocolHost.exe is Windows 7 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

SearchProtocolHost.exe is identified as pe for 32-bit systems. The subsystem is Windows CUI. PE header values are useful for triage, especially when they do not match the expected publisher, product, or release timeline.

Format pe
Architecture 32-bit
Subsystem Windows CUI
Entry point 0x0000b129
Image base 0x01000000

PE Sections:

Sections 4
Raw data 180224

Section layout highlights raw-size concentration, repeated names, packer markers, and hashes that can be compared across related samples.

.text 150528 bytes · 83.5% of section data
MD5 a5ddc63c4d5ab17954039814fce87d57
.data 2560 bytes · 1.4% of section data
MD5 b1c65811a5b47d29c8a25961fb6fe20a
.rsrc 1536 bytes · 0.9% of section data
MD5 5ceecd83cbe095f100ba9291055bf949
.reloc 25600 bytes · 14.2% of section data
MD5 86c4a4c5367ada7d9c0c544e8c1ba835

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

This file is still under review

ThreatInfo has not assigned a final verdict yet. Compare the file hash, location, signature, and publisher before trusting the file on a production system.

Scan with GridinSoft Anti-Malware Use a local scan if the file origin or behavior is unclear. Check this hash on VirusTotal

Recommended next steps

  • Compare the local file MD5 with 40a5bae94206285b1b4a223da647f8c5.
  • Check the file path, publisher, and signature against the details in this report.
  • Run a GridinSoft scan if the source, path, or behavior looks unusual.