> 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/phantom-dll-loading.md).
# Phantom DLL Loading
### 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 | DLL Hijacking Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Medium |
### Description
An attacker might leverage existing processes missing module loads to load malicious code into trusted processes.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker is attempting to load untrusted code into trusted contexts to avoid detection, persist or escalate privileges.
### Investigative actions
Investigate the loaded module and verify if it is malicious.
### Variations
Phantom DLL Loading was used to load a DLL into a process after it was extracted from an internet-downloaded archive
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
An attacker might leverage existing processes missing module loads to load malicious code into trusted processes.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load untrusted code into trusted contexts to avoid detection, persist or escalate privileges.
**Investigative actions**
Investigate the loaded module and verify if it is malicious.
Phantom DLL Loading was used to load a DLL into a process after it was downloaded from an uncommon source
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Persistence (TA0003) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | High |
**Description**
An attacker might leverage existing processes missing module loads to load malicious code into trusted processes.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load untrusted code into trusted contexts to avoid detection, persist or escalate privileges.
**Investigative actions**
Investigate the loaded module and verify if it is malicious.
---
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