huntrule

Windows Chrome Frame Helper DLL Sideloading via Image Load

Alerts when chrome_frame_helper.dll loads from an unexpected location on Windows, indicating possible DLL sideloading.

FreeReviewedSigma · Medium · v2
Product
windows
Category
image_load
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Wietze Beukema (project and research) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-08-17
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

Identifies cases where chrome_frame_helper.dll is loaded from locations other than the expected Chrome application directories. Attackers can abuse DLL search order and side-loading to execute malicious code under the context of a legitimate process, making this a useful persistence and stealth signal. The rule relies on Windows image load telemetry to match the specific DLL name and then validate the loaded path against known-good directories and user application paths.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange
Suspicious msimg32.dll Loaded from Non-System Directory
DLL Side-Loading via Signed Binary Loading Known Malicious Helper DLL
Suspicious DLL Sideloading via msdtc oci.dll Install (via process_creation)
Suspicious wmicodegen.dll Sideload by inetinfo.exe (UAT-8099 Cobalt Strike)
Suspicious LucidRook DismCore.dll Side-Load into Browser Process
Suspicious Encrypted Implant File Creation for DLL Search Order Hijacking (RainyDay Turian PlugX)
Suspicious RoboForm Signed Binary Executed From Non-Standard Path (via process_creation)
Malicious dal_keepalives.dll Sideloaded By Signed Binary (via image_load)
Suspicious Cortex XDR Binary Sideloading winutils.dll (via image_load)
Windows Chrome Frame Helper DLL Sideloading via Image Load
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.