> 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/unsigned-dll-hijack-into-a-microsoft-process.md).

# Unsigned 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       | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity             | Informational                                                                 |

### Description

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, 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

<details>

<summary>Unsigned DLL Hijack into a recently created Microsoft process which commonly loads the module as signed</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity          | Medium                                                                        |

**Description**

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, which might indicate an attacker performing DLL Hijacking. In addition, The Microsoft process which commonly loads the module as signed,had loaded the module as unsigned, which might indicate an attacker targeting a popular module name.

**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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Rare and unsigned DLL into an injected Microsoft process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity          | Medium                                                                        |

**Description**

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, 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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Unsigned DLL Hijack of a low entropy DLL into a Microsoft process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity          | Low                                                                           |

**Description**

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, 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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Unsigned DLL Hijack of a high entropy DLL into a Microsoft process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity          | Low                                                                           |

**Description**

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, 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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Unsigned DLL Hijack into a Microsoft process - the DLL downloaded from an uncommon source</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity          | Low                                                                           |

**Description**

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, 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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Unsigned DLL Hijack into a recently created Microsoft process</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity          | Low                                                                           |

**Description**

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, 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.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Unsigned DLL Hijack into a Microsoft process which was executed by a scheduled task</summary>

**Synopsis**

| Field             | Value                                                                         |
| ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ATT\&CK Tactic    | Persistence (TA0003), Privilege Escalation (TA0004), Defense Evasion (TA0005) |
| ATT\&CK Technique | Hijack Execution Flow: DLL (T1574.001)                                        |
| Severity          | Low                                                                           |

**Description**

An unsigned DLL was loaded into a Microsoft signed process. It is not common for the DLL to be loaded into Microsoft processes, 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.

</details>


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