Suspicious DLL Sideloading via msdtc oci.dll Install (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 msdtc.exe being invoked with the -install argument, the trigger used by the Zardoor backdoor to sideload a malicious oci.dll. Abusing the MSDTC install path loads attacker code under a signed system service for stealthy persistence.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious DLL Sideloading via msdtc oci.dll Install (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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