Possible DLL Sideloading Of DBGHELP.DLL (via image_load)

title: Possible DLL Sideloading Of DBGHELP.DLL (via image_load)
id: f0c7f47c-656c-5fd1-8d63-13f9c133a9e2
status: stable
description: This rule detects potential DLL sideloading of "dbghelp.dll"
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/001/
    - https://hijacklibs.net/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-31
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ImageLoaded|endswith: '\dbghelp.dll'
    filter_main_generic:
        ImageLoaded|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\'
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SystemTemp\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
            - 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
    filter_optional_anaconda:
        ImageLoaded|endswith:
            - '\Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\vtrace\platforms\windll\amd64\dbghelp.dll'
            - '\Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\vtrace\platforms\windll\i386\dbghelp.dll'
    filter_optional_epicgames:
        ImageLoaded|endswith:
            - '\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\ThirdParty\DbgHelp\dbghelp.dll'
            - '\Epic Games\MagicLegends\x86\dbghelp.dll'
    filter_optional_opera:
        ImageLoaded|contains: 'opera\Opera Installer Temp\opera_package'
        ImageLoaded|endswith: '\assistant\dbghelp.dll'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium