Windows DLL sideloading via AVKkid.dll image loads

Identifies suspicious AVKkid.dll loads on Windows that may indicate DLL sideloading, excluding a specific likely legitimate path pattern.

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windows-dll-sideloading-via-avkkid-dll-image-loads-952ed57c

title: Windows DLL sideloading via AVKkid.dll image loads
id: 55ac0c53-1393-41ae-a4d2-3c31204b3a6a
status: test
description: This rule flags Windows processes where AVKkid.dll is loaded from any image load event that ends with \AVKkid.dll, which can indicate DLL sideloading. Attackers use sideloading to execute malicious code by forcing a victim application to load an attacker-controlled or unexpected DLL name. The detection relies on image load telemetry (ImageLoaded) and applies an exclusion when the associated Image and load path patterns match a specific apparent legitimate installer/executable naming and location context.
references:
  - https://research.checkpoint.com/2023/beyond-the-horizon-traveling-the-world-on-camaro-dragons-usb-flash-drives/
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_side_load_avkkid.yml
author: X__Junior (Nextron Systems), Huntrule Team
date: 2023-08-03
tags:
  - attack.persistence
  - attack.privilege-escalation
  - attack.execution
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
  category: image_load
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    ImageLoaded|endswith: \AVKkid.dll
  filter_main_legit_path:
    Image|contains:
      - C:\Program Files (x86)\G DATA\
      - C:\Program Files\G DATA\
    Image|endswith: \AVKKid.exe
    ImageLoaded|startswith:
      - C:\Program Files (x86)\G DATA\
      - C:\Program Files\G DATA\
  condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_*
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 952ed57c-8f99-453d-aee0-53a49c22f95d
    type: derived

What it detects

This rule flags Windows processes where AVKkid.dll is loaded from any image load event that ends with \AVKkid.dll, which can indicate DLL sideloading. Attackers use sideloading to execute malicious code by forcing a victim application to load an attacker-controlled or unexpected DLL name. The detection relies on image load telemetry (ImageLoaded) and applies an exclusion when the associated Image and load path patterns match a specific apparent legitimate installer/executable naming and location context.

Known false positives

Unknown

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