Malicious msedge_elf.dll Side-Loading from Public Libraries

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 Edge helper library msedge_elf.dll being loaded from the C:\Users\Public\Libraries directory instead of a legitimate browser install path. ChaosBot side-loaded a malicious msedge_elf.dll through identity_helper.exe placed in Public Libraries to run its Rust payload under a trusted process. A signed Microsoft DLL name loading from a world-writable staging path is a hallmark of DLL side-loading.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious msedge_elf.dll Side-Loading from Public Libraries

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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