Creation Of Non-Existent System DLL

title: Creation Of Non-Existent System DLL
id: df6ecb8b-7822-4f4b-b412-08f524b4576c
related:
    - id: 6b98b92b-4f00-4f62-b4fe-4d1920215771 # ImageLoad rule
      type: similar
status: test
description: |
    Detects creation of specific system DLL files that are  usually not present on the system (or at least not in system directories) but may be loaded by legitimate processes.
    Phantom DLL hijacking involves placing malicious DLLs with names of non-existent system binaries in locations where legitimate applications may search for them, leading to execution of the malicious DLLs.
    Thus, the creation of such DLLs may indicate preparation for phantom DLL hijacking attacks.
references:
    - http://remoteawesomethoughts.blogspot.com/2019/05/windows-10-task-schedulerservice.html
    - https://clement.notin.org/blog/2020/09/12/CVE-2020-7315-McAfee-Agent-DLL-injection/
    - https://decoded.avast.io/martinchlumecky/png-steganography/
    - https://github.com/blackarrowsec/redteam-research/tree/26e6fc0c0d30d364758fa11c2922064a9a7fd309/LPE%20via%20StorSvc
    - https://github.com/Wh04m1001/SysmonEoP
    - https://itm4n.github.io/cdpsvc-dll-hijacking/
    - https://posts.specterops.io/lateral-movement-scm-and-dll-hijacking-primer-d2f61e8ab992
    - https://securelist.com/passiveneuron-campaign-with-apt-implants-and-cobalt-strike/117745/
    - https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-us/blog/4-ways-adversaries-hijack-dlls/
    - https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2013/12/08/beyond-good-ol-run-key-part-5/
    - https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2025/06/14/wermgr-exe-boot-offdmpsvc-dll-lolbin/
    - https://www.hexacorn.com/blog/2025/06/14/wpr-exe-boottrace-phantom-dll-axeonoffhelper-dll-lolbin/
    - https://x.com/0gtweet/status/1564131230941122561
author: Nasreddine Bencherchali (Nextron Systems), fornotes
date: 2022-12-01
modified: 2026-01-24
tags:
    - attack.defense-evasion
    - attack.persistence
    - attack.privilege-escalation
    - attack.t1574.001
logsource:
    product: windows
    category: file_event
detection:
    selection:
        TargetFilename|endswith:
            - ':\Windows\System32\axeonoffhelper.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\cdpsgshims.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\oci.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\offdmpsvc.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\shellchromeapi.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\TSMSISrv.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\TSVIPSrv.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\wbem\wbemcomn.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\WLBSCTRL.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\wow64log.dll'
            - ':\Windows\System32\WptsExtensions.dll'
            - '\SprintCSP.dll'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Unknown
level: medium
regression_tests_path: regression_data/rules/windows/file/file_event/file_event_win_create_non_existent_dlls/info.yml