huntrule

Windows Image Load of Specific System DLLs Not Normally Present in System Directories

Alerts on image load events for specific system-path DLLs with unexpected “phantom” DLL names on Windows.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
image_load
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), SBousseaden (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2022-12-09
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 process image loads for a set of specific system DLL paths that are typically not present on the host (or at least not in system directories) but may still be requested by legitimate processes. Such unexpected DLL loads can indicate phantom DLL hijacking, where attackers aim to have a process load a malicious library using a system-matching name and location. It relies on Windows image load telemetry that includes the loaded module path, along with signature-related fields to filter out Microsoft-signed, valid signatures.

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 Image Load of Specific System DLLs Not Normally Present in System Directories
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.