Possible DarkGate DLL Sideloading via iTunesHelper Loading CoreFoundation

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1218System Binary Proxy Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the signed Apple iTunesHelper binary loading a CoreFoundation DLL from a non standard directory. DarkGate abuses DLL search order hijacking by placing a malicious CoreFoundation.dll next to a legitimate Apple executable to proxy execution of its packed payload.

Reporting behind it

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Possible DarkGate DLL Sideloading via iTunesHelper Loading CoreFoundation

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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