GridinSoft Threat Intelligence

SearchProtocolHost.exb file report

Under review File reputation report
MD5 42ec9065d9bf266ade924b066c783a56
Latest seen 2021-12-06 21:53:54 (4 years ago)
First seen 2017-05-31 14:11:35 (8 years ago)
Size 244 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 2017-05-31 14:11:35 (8 years ago); latest analysis 2021-12-06 21:53:54 (4 years ago).

Publisher context

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

Aliases

This hash has appeared under multiple file names, which can happen with repackaging, bundling, or deliberate renaming.

Observed locations

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

  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.exb 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 2021-12-06 21:53:54 (4 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: 42ec9065d9bf266ade924b066c783a56
Size: 244 KB
First Published: 2017-05-31 14:11:35 (8 years ago)
Latest Published: 2021-12-06 21:53:54 (4 years ago)
Status: Undefined (on last analysis)
Analysis Date: 2021-12-06 21:53:54 (4 years ago)

Common Places:

%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170529_2138\windows7_sp1_ultimate_eng(1033)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v1\images
%windir%\system32
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170621_0925\windows7_sp1_ultimate_eng(1033)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v1\images
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170622_1022\windows7_sp1_homepremium_eng(1033)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v3\images
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170317_0819\windows7_sp1_homepremium_eng(1033)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v3\images
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170802_2051\windows7_sp1_professional_eng(1033)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v1\images
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170803_2144\windows7_sp1_professional_eng(1033)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v1\images
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170816_2335\windows7_sp1_professional_eng(1033)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v1\images
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170825_1111\windows7_sp1_homepremium_esp(3082)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v1\images
%sysdrive%\rei\temp\20170826_2219\windows7_sp1_homepremium_esp(3082)_ie11_wmp12_64bit_v1\images

ThreatInfo has observed SearchProtocolHost.exb 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.

File Names:

3 observed names
a8dcf7d63a8bb5abef8787775957a5bb6c0f3f77.img SearchProtocolHost.exe SearchProtocolHost.exb

This hash has been seen with multiple file names. Alternate names can appear when software is updated, copied between folders, packed by an installer, or deliberately renamed to avoid recognition. Compare the exact MD5 above before assuming two names refer to the same file.

Geographic signal

Observed country distribution

ThreatInfo has seen SearchProtocolHost.exb across 20 countries. Use this signal to compare local evidence with where the sample is most often reported.

Top country India
Share 30.7%
Low High activity

The strongest geographic signal for this file is India with 30.7% 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 93.2%
Windows 10 6.8%

The most common operating system signal for SearchProtocolHost.exb is Windows 7 with 93.2% 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.exb is identified as pe for 64-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 64-bit
Subsystem Windows CUI
Entry point 0x0000978c
Image base 0x0000000100000000

PE Sections:

Sections 6
Raw data 248832

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

.text 161792 bytes · 65.0% of section data
MD5 b1740fe15429bba859af1fa13a0ec42f
.rdata 65024 bytes · 26.1% of section data
MD5 3915b28d06e75d7f63b38e4980101e7e
.data 4608 bytes · 1.9% of section data
MD5 9e40029ffb9e96cdbeebaa22dd3cb368
.pdata 13312 bytes · 5.3% of section data
MD5 75b0df11bb0fe9c8e68e61505fe2f615
.rsrc 1536 bytes · 0.6% of section data
MD5 a64f1c284c63ff8191ad1aa4e2f549b3
.reloc 2560 bytes · 1.0% of section data
MD5 2fc16eac35fe0ef96a5263c434e8d573

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 42ec9065d9bf266ade924b066c783a56.
  • 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.