Suspicious DLL Sideloading via FMAPP Executable from Non-Standard Path via process_creation

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 the legitimate Realtek FMAPP.exe binary executing from a user-writable or non-standard directory rather than its normal program installation path. MuddyWater abused this signed binary to sideload a malicious FMAPP.dll, so execution from unusual locations such as AppData, Temp, or Public indicates a search-order hijack used to run attacker code under a trusted process.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange

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Suspicious DLL Sideloading via FMAPP Executable from Non-Standard Path via process_creation

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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