DLL Sideloading by VMware Xfer Utility

calendar Oct 23, 2025 · attack.privilege-escalation attack.persistence attack.defense-evasion attack.t1574.001  ·
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Detects execution of VMware Xfer utility (VMwareXferlogs.exe) from the non-default directory which may be an attempt to sideload arbitrary DLL

Sigma rule (View on GitHub)

 1title: DLL Sideloading by VMware Xfer Utility
 2id: ebea773c-a8f1-42ad-a856-00cb221966e8
 3status: test
 4description: Detects execution of VMware Xfer utility (VMwareXferlogs.exe) from the non-default directory which may be an attempt to sideload arbitrary DLL
 5references:
 6    - https://www.sentinelone.com/labs/lockbit-ransomware-side-loads-cobalt-strike-beacon-with-legitimate-vmware-utility/
 7author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems)
 8date: 2022-08-02
 9tags:
10    - attack.privilege-escalation
11    - attack.persistence
12    - attack.defense-evasion
13    - attack.t1574.001
14logsource:
15    product: windows
16    category: process_creation
17detection:
18    selection:
19        Image|endswith: '\VMwareXferlogs.exe'
20    filter: # VMware might be installed in another path so update the rule accordingly
21        Image|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\VMware\'
22    condition: selection and not filter
23falsepositives:
24    - Unlikely
25level: high

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