Detection rules › Splunk
Windows Hijack Execution Flow Version Dll Side Load
The following analytic detects a process loading a version.dll file from a directory other than %windir%\system32 or %windir%\syswow64. This detection leverages Sysmon EventCode 7 to identify instances where an unsigned or improperly located version.dll is loaded. This activity is significant as it is a common technique used in ransomware and APT malware campaigns, including Brute Ratel C4, to execute malicious code via DLL side loading. If confirmed malicious, this could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, maintain persistence, and potentially compromise the target host.
MITRE ATT&CK coverage
| Tactic | Techniques |
|---|---|
| Persistence | T1574.001 Hijack Execution Flow: DLL |
| Privilege Escalation | T1574.001 Hijack Execution Flow: DLL |
| Defense Evasion | T1574.001 Hijack Execution Flow: DLL |
Event coverage
| Provider | Event ID | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sysmon | 7 | Image loaded |
Stages and Predicates
Stage 1: search
search (NOT ImageLoaded IN ("*\\windows\\system32*", "*\\windows\\syswow64\\*") OR Signed="false") EventCode=7 ImageLoaded="*\\version.dll"
Stage 2: fillnull
fillnull
Stage 3: stats
stats BY Image, ImageLoaded, dest, loaded_file, loaded_file_path, original_file_name, process_exec, process_guid, process_hash, process_id, process_name, process_path, service_dll_signature_exists, service_dll_signature_verified, signature, signature_id, user_id, vendor_product
Stage 4: search
search
Stage 5: search
search
Stage 6: search
search `macro`
Indicators
Each row is a field, operator, and value that the rule matches. The corpus column counts how many other rules in the catalog look for the same combination: high numbers point to widely-used, community-vetted indicators. Blank or 1 shows that the indicator is specific to this rule.
| Field | Kind | Values |
|---|---|---|
EventCode | eq |
|
ImageLoaded | eq |
|
Signed | eq |
|
Neighbors
Broader alternatives (more inclusive than this rule)
These rules match a superset of what this rule catches. They cover the same events plus more. Use them if you want wider coverage and can absorb more false positives.
- Windows Remote Access Software BRC4 Loaded Dll (drops 2 filters this rule applies)