huntrule

Windows DNS Server error when loading ServerLevelPlugin DLL fails

Flags Windows DNS Server errors where the ServerLevelPluginDLL plugin DLL fails to load.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Service
dns-server
Author
Florian Roth (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2017-05-08
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 identifies Windows DNS Server errors where the DNS server fails to load a specified ServerLevelPlugin DLL referenced in the registry. Attackers and administrators rely on plugin DLL loading for persistence and stealth, and repeated failures can indicate tampering with plugin registrations or attempted use of unauthorized components. The detection is based on DNS Server event telemetry using Event IDs 150, 770, and 771.

Reporting behind it

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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 DNS Server error when loading ServerLevelPlugin DLL fails
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.