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MediumSplunk security contentTeoderick Contreras +1

Windows DLL Side-Loading In Calc

The following analytic detects the loading of the "WindowsCodecs.dll" by calc.exe from a non-standard location This could be indicative of a potential DLL side-loading technique. This detection leverages Sysmon…

Description

The following analytic detects the loading of the "WindowsCodecs.dll" by calc.exe from a non-standard location This could be indicative of a potential DLL side-loading technique. This detection leverages Sysmon EventCode 7 to identify the DLL side-loading activity. In previous versions of the "calc.exe" binary, namely on Windows 7, it was vulnerable to DLL side-loading, where an attacker is able to load an arbitrary DLL named "WindowsCodecs.dll". This technique has been observed in Qakbot malware. This activity is significant as it indicates potential malware execution through a trusted process, which can bypass security controls. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, maintain persistence, and escalate privileges within the environment.

Detection logic

Detection requirements

Platform
Windows

The rule states no platform. This is derived from the ATT&CK technique it maps to.

Log source category
sysmon_eventid_7

Known benign triggers

  • No false positives have been identified at this time.

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