Suspicious VMGuestLib DLL Sideload (via image_load)

title: Suspicious VMGuestLib DLL Sideload (via image_load)
id: de678ac3-5f1c-518a-9f83-4d1f733a1821
status: stable
description: This rule detects DLL sideloading of VMGuestLib.dll by the WmiApSrv service.
references:
    - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1574/001/
    - https://decoded.avast.io/martinchlumecky/png-steganography/
author: Huntrule Team
date: 2026-07-02
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ImageLoaded|contains|all:
            - '\VMware\VMware Tools\vmStatsProvider\win32'
            - '\vmGuestLib.dll'
        Image|endswith: '\Windows\System32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe'
    filter:
        Signed: 'true'
    condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium