Malicious DBatLoader DLL Sideloading via easinvoker.exe Loading netutils.dll (via image_load)

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1548.002Bypass User Account Control
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the auto-elevating binary easinvoker.exe loading a netutils.dll from outside System32, the DLL hijacking and UAC bypass chain DBatLoader uses to run malicious code with elevated privileges. Adversaries place the legitimate signed executable alongside a rogue netutils.dll to inherit auto-elevation, making early detection critical for catching privilege escalation before injection into SndVol.exe or iexpress.exe.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious DBatLoader DLL Sideloading via easinvoker.exe Loading netutils.dll (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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