Trusted Path Bypass via Windows Directory Spoofing

Detects DLLs loading from a spoofed Windows directory path with an extra space (e.g "C:\Windows \System32") which can bypass Windows trusted path verification. This technique tricks Windows into treating the path as trusted, allowing malicious DLLs to load with high integrity privileges bypassing UAC.

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Detection logic

selection

ImageLoaded|contains:
  - :\Windows \System32\
  - :\Windows \SysWOW64\

Condition

selection

Raw YAML

title: Trusted Path Bypass via Windows Directory Spoofing
id: 0cbe38c0-270c-41d9-ab79-6e5a9a669290
related:
    - id: 4ac47ed3-44c2-4b1f-9d51-bf46e8914126
      type: similar
status: experimental
description: |
    Detects DLLs loading from a spoofed Windows directory path with an extra space (e.g "C:\Windows \System32") which can bypass Windows trusted path verification.
    This technique tricks Windows into treating the path as trusted, allowing malicious DLLs to load with high integrity privileges bypassing UAC.
references:
    - https://x.com/Wietze/status/1933495426952421843
author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel (Nextron Systems)
date: 2025-06-17
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.007
    - attack.t1548.002
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ImageLoaded|contains:
            - ':\Windows \System32\'  # Note the space between "Windows" and "System32"
            - ':\Windows \SysWOW64\'  # Note the space between "Windows" and "SysWOW64"
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unlikely
level: high