huntrule

Windows Image Load: Unsigned dbghelp.dll/dbgcore.dll Loaded by Suspicious Process

Alerts on unsigned loading of dbghelp.dll/dbgcore.dll, often associated with memory dump creation and credential-access workflows.

FreeReviewedSigma · High · v2
Product
windows
Category
image_load
Author
Perez Diego (@darkquassar), oscd.community, Ecco (SigmaHQ), DRL 1.1
Published
2019-10-27
Updated
2026-07-31
AnalysisDetection

ATT&CK techniques

Cred Access

  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 Windows processes that load dbghelp.dll or dbgcore.dll when the loaded DLL is unsigned. These libraries can be used to generate memory dumps via MiniDumpWriteDump, which attackers may use to access sensitive process memory such as credentials. It relies on image load telemetry (DLL path ending with dbghelp.dll/dbgcore.dll) and the signed status of the loaded module.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1003.001 — drag to rearrange
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Malicious Credential Dumping via Mimikatz Sekurlsa Command
Malicious Mimikatz Sekurlsa Logonpasswords Credential Dump
Malicious LSASS Credential Dump via ProcDump (via process_creation)
Malicious LSASS Memory Dump via comsvcs.dll by Salt Typhoon
Malicious LSASS Dump via Process Access (via process_access)
Malicious LSASS Credential Dump with LSASSY - Process (via process_creation)
Malicious LSASS Credential Dump with LSASSY - Admin Share (via security)
Malicious Task Manager Used for LSASS Dump - Kernel (via security)
Windows Image Load: Unsigned dbghelp.dll/dbgcore.dll Loaded by Suspicious Process
Pivot detection · T1003.001 · 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.