PUP.SmallHTTP.A

Threat Scorecard

Threat Level: 10 % (Normal)
Infected Computers: 6
First Seen: March 28, 2022
Last Seen: October 20, 2026
OS(es) Affected: Windows

PUP.SmallHTTP.A is a detection name used to identify a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) that targets Windows systems. While it is not classified as highly dangerous, with a relatively low danger rating, it is still flagged by security tools because of behaviors commonly associated with unwanted or intrusive software. This detection has been observed across a wide range of systems since it was first identified in March 2022 and remains active on devices today.

What PUP.SmallHTTP.A Does

PUP.SmallHTTP.A is a 32-bit Windows executable that is packed using UPX, a common technique used to compress files and make their internal code harder to analyze. The file does not carry a digital signature, lacks version information, and shows signs of high entropy, all traits typically associated with software that is trying to obscure its true purpose or avoid easy detection by security software.

Programs in this family often exhibit behavior typical of PUPs, such as installing browser toolbars, displaying unwanted advertisements, or modifying browser settings like the default search engine or homepage without clear user consent. The sample associated with this detection was also observed using system functions related to service control, such as querying the Windows Service Control Manager, as well as a function commonly used to detect whether a debugger is present. This last behavior is typical of software that tries to resist analysis by security researchers. Additionally, the program has been seen using a function that can retrieve information about user objects on the system, which is typically tied to interacting with the graphical user interface environment.

How It Usually Gets Installed

Like most PUPs, SmallHTTP.A is typically distributed through software bundling, where it is included as an additional, often optional, component alongside other free software downloaded from the internet. Users may inadvertently install it by quickly clicking through installation wizards without carefully reviewing each step, leaving default options enabled that allow extra software to be installed alongside the intended program.

Risks for Users

While PUP.SmallHTTP.A is not considered highly dangerous, its presence can still negatively affect the user experience. Typical risks associated with this category of software include unwanted changes to browser settings, increased advertisements, reduced system performance, and the potential bundling of additional unwanted components. The use of anti-debugging techniques also suggests an attempt to resist removal or analysis, which can make it more persistent on an infected system than typical legitimate software.

Signs of Infection

Users may notice unexpected changes to their web browser, such as a new default search engine, homepage, or unfamiliar toolbar. An increase in pop-up ads or redirected web searches can also be a sign of a PUP like this one being active on the system. In some cases, users may notice unfamiliar processes running in the background or a general slowdown in system performance.

How to Stay Protected

To avoid PUPs like SmallHTTP.A, users should always download software directly from official or trusted sources and pay close attention during installation, opting for "custom" or "advanced" installation modes whenever available to deselect any bundled offers. Keeping security software up to date and regularly reviewing installed programs and browser extensions can also help users detect and remove unwanted software before it causes further issues.

Analysis Report

General information

Family Name: PUP.SmallHTTP.A
Packers: UPX
Signature status: No Signature

Known Samples

MD5: b1b7adedd73985adc1904d2285b21ed4
SHA1: b244d938d7cf689c049d8a144ac7b5402404a46f
SHA256: 1019A0A6A216FFBC36E69DD80DAA2CA6D491ACA6BC0AF1A1399D2756A4A22671
File Size: 997.38 KB, 997376 bytes

Windows Portable Executable Attributes

  • File doesn't have "Rich" header
  • File doesn't have debug information
  • File doesn't have exports table
  • File doesn't have relocations information
  • File doesn't have security information
  • File has been packed
  • File is 32-bit executable
  • File is either console or GUI application
  • File is GUI application (IMAGE_SUBSYSTEM_WINDOWS_GUI)
  • File is Native application (NOT .NET application)
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  • IMAGE_FILE_DLL is not set inside PE header (Executable)
  • IMAGE_FILE_EXECUTABLE_IMAGE is set inside PE header (Executable Image)

File Icons

File Traits

  • HighEntropy
  • No Version Info
  • packed
  • x86

Block Information

Total Blocks: 532
Potentially Malicious Blocks: 463
Whitelisted Blocks: 69
Unknown Blocks: 0

Visual Map

x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 0 x x x 0 x 0 x x 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 0 x 0 x x 0 0 0 x x x x 0 x x x x 0 x x x x 0 x x x 0 x 0 0 x x 0 x 0 x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 0 x x 0 x 0 x 0 0 0 x x x 0 x x x x 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 0 0 x 0 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x x x x x x x 0 x x x x x x x 0 x x 0 x x x x 0 x x x x x 0 x x
0 - Probable Safe Block
? - Unknown Block
x - Potentially Malicious Block

Similar Families

  • SmallHTTP.A
  • ZBot.DF

Windows API Usage

Category API
Service Control
  • OpenSCManager
  • OpenService
Anti Debug
  • IsDebuggerPresent
User Data Access
  • GetUserObjectInformation