Suspicious DLL Side-Loading by Microsoft.Http.Api.exe via HTTPService.dll

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 Microsoft.Http.Api.exe loading HTTPService.dll from a user AppData directory as part of the SHELBY backdoor DLL side-loading chain. The signed decoy executable is abused to load an attacker-controlled DLL that stages further payloads. This behavior indicates DLL search-order hijacking used to evade application controls and establish execution.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious DLL Side-Loading by Microsoft.Http.Api.exe via HTTPService.dll

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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