Potential DLL Sideloading Of DBGHELP.DLL

Detects potential DLL sideloading of "dbghelp.dll"

Detection logic

selection

ImageLoaded|endswith: \dbghelp.dll

filter_main_generic

ImageLoaded|startswith:
  - C:\Program Files (x86)\
  - C:\Program Files\
  - C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\
  - C:\Windows\System32\
  - C:\Windows\SystemTemp\
  - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\
  - C:\Windows\WinSxS\

filter_optional_anaconda

ImageLoaded|endswith:
  - \Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\vtrace\platforms\windll\amd64\dbghelp.dll
  - \Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\vtrace\platforms\windll\i386\dbghelp.dll

filter_optional_epicgames

ImageLoaded|endswith:
  - \Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\ThirdParty\DbgHelp\dbghelp.dll
  - \Epic Games\MagicLegends\x86\dbghelp.dll

filter_optional_opera

ImageLoaded|contains: opera\Opera Installer Temp\opera_package
ImageLoaded|endswith: \assistant\dbghelp.dll

Condition

selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*

Raw YAML

title: Potential DLL Sideloading Of DBGHELP.DLL
id: 6414b5cd-b19d-447e-bb5e-9f03940b5784
status: test
description: Detects potential DLL sideloading of "dbghelp.dll"
references:
    - https://hijacklibs.net/ # For list of DLLs that could be sideloaded (search for dlls mentioned here in there)
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), Wietze Beukema (project and research)
date: 2022-10-25
modified: 2025-10-07
tags:
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.execution
    - attack.stealth
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    category: image_load
    product: windows
detection:
    selection:
        ImageLoaded|endswith: '\dbghelp.dll'
    filter_main_generic:
        ImageLoaded|startswith:
            - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\'
            - 'C:\Program Files\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\'
            - 'C:\Windows\System32\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SystemTemp\'
            - 'C:\Windows\SysWOW64\'
            - 'C:\Windows\WinSxS\'
    filter_optional_anaconda:
        ImageLoaded|endswith:
            - '\Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\vtrace\platforms\windll\amd64\dbghelp.dll'
            - '\Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\vtrace\platforms\windll\i386\dbghelp.dll'
    filter_optional_epicgames:
        ImageLoaded|endswith:
            - '\Epic Games\Launcher\Engine\Binaries\ThirdParty\DbgHelp\dbghelp.dll'
            - '\Epic Games\MagicLegends\x86\dbghelp.dll'
    filter_optional_opera:
        ImageLoaded|contains: 'opera\Opera Installer Temp\opera_package'
        ImageLoaded|endswith: '\assistant\dbghelp.dll'
    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate applications loading their own versions of the DLL mentioned in this rule
level: medium