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

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 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

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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
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v4
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v3
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
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.

windows-dll-load-of-oci-dll-by-msdtc-exe-for-pingback-backdoor-icmp-tunneling-35a7dc42

title: Windows DLL Loading of C:\Windows\oci.dll by msdtc.exe
id: 6088fb5b-a151-4b58-901e-b9df88a14080
related:
  - id: 35a7dc42-bc6f-46e0-9f83-81f8e56c8d4b
    type: similar
  - id: b2400ffb-7680-47c0-b08a-098a7de7e7a9
    type: similar
  - id: 35a7dc42-bc6f-46e0-9f83-81f8e56c8d4b
    type: derived
status: test
description: 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.
references:
  - https://www.trustwave.com/en-us/resources/blogs/spiderlabs-blog/backdoor-at-the-end-of-the-icmp-tunnel
  - https://app.any.run/tasks/4a54c651-b70b-4b72-84d7-f34d301d6406
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules-emerging-threats/2021/Malware/Pingback/image_load_malware_pingback_backdoor.yml
author: Bhabesh Raj, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-05-05
modified: 2023-02-17
tags:
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1574.001
  - detection.emerging-threats
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: image_load
detection:
  selection:
    Image|endswith: \msdtc.exe
    ImageLoaded: C:\Windows\oci.dll
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unlikely
level: high
license: DRL-1.1

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