Malicious HyperBro DLL Side-Loading via vfhost.exe (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 CyberArk vfhost binary loading VFTRACE.dll, the side-loading pair used to deploy the HyperBro implant against semiconductor targets. The malicious DLL decrypts and injects Cobalt Strike shellcode when loaded by the signed host process. This specific host and module pairing indicates HyperBro side-loading.

Reporting behind it

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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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