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Windows DLL sideloading via unsigned mfdetours.dll loaded by image_load

Alerts on loading unsigned \mfdetours.dll, consistent with DLL sideloading abuse via mftrace.exe.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
image_load
Author
Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems) (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2023-08-11
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 attempts to load a DLL named mfdetours.dll when the DLL is not located in a trusted Windows Kits path and is not marked as having a valid signature. Attackers can abuse mftrace.exe to attach to an arbitrary process and force loading of mfdetours.dll from the current execution directory, enabling stealthy execution or persistence. The detection relies on Windows image load telemetry and DLL signature status, along with the observed DLL load path.

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 DLL sideloading via unsigned mfdetours.dll loaded by image_load
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.