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Windows VMMap Loading Unsigned dbghelp.dll from C:\Debuggers\dbghelp.dll

Alerts when VMMap loads an unsigned dbghelp.dll from C:\Debuggers, suggesting DLL sideloading on Windows.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
image_load
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-07-28
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

  1. Recon

  2. Resource Dev

  3. Initial Access

  4. Execution

  5. Persistence

  6. Priv Esc

  7. Defense Evasion

  8. Cred Access

  9. Discovery

  10. Lateral Movement

  11. Collection

  12. C2

  13. Exfiltration

  14. Impact

What it detects

This rule flags image loads where VMMap (vmmap.exe or vmmap64.exe) loads dbghelp.dll from C:\Debuggers\dbghelp.dll without a valid signed indication. Unsigned DLL sideloading can be used to run attacker-controlled code in the context of a legitimate signed tool. The detection relies on process image load events that capture the loaded DLL path and VMMap executable identity.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious Bumblebee DLL Sideload of msimg32 by consent from Non-System Path (via image_load)
Suspicious BugSplat Binary Sideloading bugsplatrc.dll via DLL Search Order Hijack
Suspicious SentinelOne Binary Sideloading sentinelagentcore.dll
Suspicious 7-Zip Executable Sideloading 7z.dll Loader
Suspicious Loading of Masqueraded EndpointDlp.dll Backdoor
Suspicious Trend Micro Binary Sideloading tmdglog.dll
Suspicious DLL Sideloading via ProtonVPN Executable (via image_load)
Suspicious DLL Sideloading via OneDriveStandaloneUpdater (via image_load)
Windows VMMap Loading Unsigned dbghelp.dll from C:\Debuggers\dbghelp.dll
Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v2
  1. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v1
    No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.