Potential Python DLL SideLoading

calendar Oct 23, 2025 · attack.privilege-escalation attack.persistence attack.defense-evasion attack.t1574.001  ·
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Detects potential DLL sideloading of Python DLL files.

Sigma rule (View on GitHub)

 1title: Potential Python DLL SideLoading
 2id: d36f7c12-14a3-4d48-b6b8-774b9c66f44d
 3status: test
 4description: Detects potential DLL sideloading of Python DLL files.
 5references:
 6    - https://www.securonix.com/blog/seolurker-attack-campaign-uses-seo-poisoning-fake-google-ads-to-install-malware/
 7    - https://thedfirreport.com/2024/09/30/nitrogen-campaign-drops-sliver-and-ends-with-blackcat-ransomware/
 8    - https://github.com/wietze/HijackLibs/tree/dc9c9f2f94e6872051dab58fbafb043fdd8b4176/yml/3rd_party/python
 9author: Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel
10date: 2024-10-06
11modified: 2025-08-18
12tags:
13    - attack.privilege-escalation
14    - attack.persistence
15    - attack.defense-evasion
16    - attack.t1574.001
17logsource:
18    category: image_load
19    product: windows
20detection:
21    selection:
22        ImageLoaded|endswith:
23            - '\python39.dll'
24            - '\python310.dll'
25            - '\python311.dll'
26            - '\python312.dll'
27    filter_main_default_install_paths:
28        - ImageLoaded|startswith:
29              - 'C:\Program Files\Python3'
30              - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Python3'
31        - ImageLoaded|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python3'
32    filter_optional_visual_studio:
33        ImageLoaded|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\'
34    filter_optional_anaconda:
35        ImageLoaded|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\' # Comment out if you don't use Anaconda in your environment
36    filter_optional_cpython:
37        ImageLoaded|contains:
38            - '\cpython\externals\'
39            - '\cpython\PCbuild\'
40    filter_optional_pyinstaller:
41        # Triggered by programs bundled with PyInstaller
42        ImageLoaded|startswith: 'C:\Users'
43        ImageLoaded|contains: '\AppData\Local\Temp\_MEI'
44    filter_main_legit_signature_details:
45        Product: 'Python'
46        Signed: 'true'
47        Description: 'Python'
48        Company: 'Python Software Foundation'
49    condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*
50falsepositives:
51    - Legitimate software using Python DLLs
52level: medium

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