Malicious ShadowPad DLL Sideloading via TosBtKbd by Knife Framework

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 Toshiba TosBtKbd executable loading the TosBtKbdLayer DLL used to sideload ShadowPad. The China-nexus Knife framework abuses this signed binary to execute its ShadowPad implant through search-order hijacking. Sideloading through a trusted executable lets the implant run under the cover of a legitimate process.

Reporting behind it

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Malicious ShadowPad DLL Sideloading via TosBtKbd by Knife Framework

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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