> 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/possible-dll-hijack-into-a-microsoft-process.md).
# Possible DLL Hijack into a Microsoft 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 | DLL Hijacking Analytics |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
### Description
An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. This DLL name is usually signed by Microsoft, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking.
### Attacker's Goals
An attacker is attempting to load an untrusted module into a trusted context to avoid detection, gain persistence or to perform privilege escalation.
### Investigative actions
* Investigate the loaded module to verify if it is malicious.
* Investigate if the loading process and the loaded module reside in legitimate locations.
### Variations
Possible DLL Hijack of a low entropy DLL into a Microsoft process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001), Obfuscated Files or Information: Binary Padding (T1027.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. This DLL name is usually signed by Microsoft, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load an untrusted module into a trusted context to avoid detection, gain persistence or to perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the loaded module to verify if it is malicious.
* Investigate if the loading process and the loaded module reside in legitimate locations.
Possible DLL Side-Loading into a Microsoft process from a suspicious folder
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001), Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. This DLL name is usually signed by Microsoft, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load an untrusted module into a trusted context to avoid detection, gain persistence or to perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the loaded module to verify if it is malicious.
* Investigate if the loading process and the loaded module reside in legitimate locations.
DLL Hijack into a Microsoft process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. This DLL name is usually signed by Microsoft, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load an untrusted module into a trusted context to avoid detection, gain persistence or to perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the loaded module to verify if it is malicious.
* Investigate if the loading process and the loaded module reside in legitimate locations.
Possible DLL Hijack into a Microsoft development or framework related process
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. This DLL name is usually signed by Microsoft, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load an untrusted module into a trusted context to avoid detection, gain persistence or to perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the loaded module to verify if it is malicious.
* Investigate if the loading process and the loaded module reside in legitimate locations.
Possible DLL Hijack into a Microsoft process - the DLL was extracted from an internet-downloaded archive
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. This DLL name is usually signed by Microsoft, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load an untrusted module into a trusted context to avoid detection, gain persistence or to perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the loaded module to verify if it is malicious.
* Investigate if the loading process and the loaded module reside in legitimate locations.
Possible DLL Hijack into a Microsoft process - the DLL downloaded from an uncommon source
**Synopsis**
| Field | Value |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic | Stealth (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001) |
| Severity | Informational |
**Description**
An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. This DLL name is usually signed by Microsoft, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking.
**Attacker's Goals**
An attacker is attempting to load an untrusted module into a trusted context to avoid detection, gain persistence or to perform privilege escalation.
**Investigative actions**
* Investigate the loaded module to verify if it is malicious.
* Investigate if the loading process and the loaded module reside in legitimate locations.
---
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