Malicious DLL Sideloading via Cisco Webex ptService Loading wbxtrace From Non-Standard Path (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 signed Cisco Webex ptService.exe loading a wbxtrace.dll from outside the trusted Cisco installation directory, the DLL sideloading technique used to run HijackLoader and stage Vidar Stealer. Adversaries leverage sideloading under a signed binary to execute malicious code with legitimate cover, making detection of the mismatched load path critical for surfacing initial execution.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious Tablacus Explorer Execution from ProgramData for DLL Search-Order Hijacking

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Suspicious ctfmon.exe Execution From Non-System Directory via DLL Side-Loading

Malicious DLL Sideloading via consent.exe Loading msimg32.dll (via image_load)

Malicious Bumblebee DLL Sideload of msimg32 by consent from Non-System Path (via image_load)

Suspicious BugSplat Binary Sideloading bugsplatrc.dll via DLL Search Order Hijack

Malicious DLL Sideloading via Cisco Webex ptService Loading wbxtrace From Non-Standard Path (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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