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Windows DLL Loading of C:\Windows\oci.dll by msdtc.exe

Flags msdtc.exe loading C:\Windows\oci.dll, consistent with Pingback backdoor DLL loading behavior.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v5
Product
windows
Category
image_load
Author
Bhabesh Raj (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2021-05-05
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 a specific Windows process image load event where msdtc.exe loads C:\Windows\oci.dll. Such DLL load activity may indicate stealthy execution or backdoor-related behavior, since attackers often leverage legitimate Windows binaries to bring in malicious or unexpected libraries. It relies on telemetry that records loaded modules for image load events on Windows.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1574.001 — drag to rearrange
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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)
Windows DLL Loading of C:\Windows\oci.dll by msdtc.exe
Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 9 related

Changelog

v5
  1. v5
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  2. v4
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  3. v3
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  4. v2
    Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
  5. 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.