Suspicious msimg32.dll Loaded from Non-System Directory

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 msimg32.dll being loaded from a location outside standard system directories, the search-order hijack Rhadamanthys used against a Haihaisoft PDF component to gain execution. Loading this common system DLL from an application or user directory is a reliable sign of DLL search-order hijacking.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious msimg32.dll Loaded from Non-System Directory

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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