In-Memory Matanbuchus Loader DLL Sideloading via Notepad++ GenericUpdater Loading libcurl (via image_load)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the legitimate Notepad++ GUP updater GenericUpdater.exe loading libcurl.dll from a user-writable location, the DLL sideloading behavior used by the Matanbuchus 3.0 loader after delivery through a fake Notepad++ update. Adversaries leverage sideloading against a signed updater to execute the loader under a trusted process while evading process-based detection, making early detection critical for stopping the chain before regsvr32 persistence and process hollowing deploy.

Reporting behind it

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In-Memory Matanbuchus Loader DLL Sideloading via Notepad++ GenericUpdater Loading libcurl (via image_load)

Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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