Suspicious HelloNet wtsapi32.dll Sideload via itcsrvup64.exe (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 the loading of wtsapi32.dll by itcsrvup64.exe from outside System32, a DLL search-order hijack used by the HelloNet campaign to run malicious code through the ViPNet update system. The attacker abuses a trusted updater binary to sideload a payload and inject into svchost, enabling stealthy code execution and persistence.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious HelloNet wtsapi32.dll Sideload via itcsrvup64.exe (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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