> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/globally-uncommon-image-load-from-a-signed-process.md).
# Globally uncommon image load from a signed process
### Synopsis
| Field | Value |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period | 14 Days |
| Training Period | 30 Days |
| Test Period | N/A (single event) |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day |
| Required Data | XDR Agent |
| Detector Tags | Global Anomaly Analytics, DLL Hijacking Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218), Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
A signed process loaded a DLL that, on a global level, it usually doesn't load.
### Attacker's Goals
Attackers may use various methods to execute code in the context of a signed process to avoid detection.
### Investigative actions
* Check if the actor process loaded a suspicious DLL before the alert.
* Check if the actor process was injected before the alert.
* Check if the process execution and connections are legitimate.
### Variations
Globally uncommon image load from a signed process from a known vendor
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218), Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A signed process loaded a DLL that, on a global level, it usually doesn't load.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may use various methods to execute code in the context of a signed process to avoid detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the actor process loaded a suspicious DLL before the alert.
* Check if the actor process was injected before the alert.
* Check if the process execution and connections are legitimate.
Globally uncommon unsigned image side loaded to a signed process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218), Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A signed process side loaded an unsigned DLL that, on a global level, it usually doesn't load.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may use various methods to execute code in the context of a signed process to avoid detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the actor process loaded a suspicious DLL before the alert.
* Check if the actor process was injected before the alert.
* Check if the process execution and connections are legitimate.
Globally uncommon and very rare image load from a signed process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218), Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
**Description**
A signed process loaded a DLL that, on a global level, it usually doesn't load.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may use various methods to execute code in the context of a signed process to avoid detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the actor process loaded a suspicious DLL before the alert.
* Check if the actor process was injected before the alert.
* Check if the process execution and connections are legitimate.
Globally uncommon image load from an injected thread in a signed process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218), Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001), Process Injection (T1055) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
An injected thread in a signed process loaded a DLL that, on a global level, it usually doesn't load.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may use various methods to execute code in the context of a signed process to avoid detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the actor process loaded a suspicious DLL before the alert.
* Check if the actor process was injected before the alert.
* Check if the process execution and connections are legitimate.
Globally uncommon DLL was downloaded from an uncommon source and loaded by a signed process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | System Binary Proxy Execution (T1218), Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Low |
**Description**
A signed process loaded a DLL that, on a global level, it usually doesn't load.
**Attacker's Goals**
Attackers may use various methods to execute code in the context of a signed process to avoid detection.
**Investigative actions**
* Check if the actor process loaded a suspicious DLL before the alert.
* Check if the actor process was injected before the alert.
* Check if the process execution and connections are legitimate.
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/globally-uncommon-image-load-from-a-signed-process.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.