Possible Libvlc.DLL Sideloading (via image_load)

title: Possible Libvlc.DLL Sideloading (via image_load)
id: 9508a9bb-0078-573c-9866-10a1b19a2aee
status: stable
description: This rule detects potential DLL sideloading of "libvlc.dll", a DLL that is legitimately used by "VLC.exe"
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/001/
    - https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/23/c/earth-preta-updated-stealthy-strategies.html
    - https://hijacklibs.net/entries/3rd_party/vlc/libvlc.html
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-01-24
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ImageLoaded|endswith: '\libvlc.dll'
    filter_main_vlc:
        ImageLoaded|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium