Suspicious DLL Sideloaded by a Signed Binary From a User-Writable Path (via image_load)

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 a signed executable loading a DLL from a user-writable directory such as AppData, ProgramData or Temp, the search-order-hijacking and sideloading pattern used by families like PlugX to run malicious code under a trusted, signed process. DLL sideloading is a persistent defense-evasion technique in the Red Canary Threat Detection Report because the host process carries a valid signature. Detecting non-system DLL loads from user paths surfaces the hijack.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious DLL Sideloaded by a Signed Binary From a User-Writable Path (via image_load)

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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