Adversaries may abuse dynamic-link library files (DLLs) in order to achieve persistence, escalate privileges, and evade defenses. DLLs are libraries that contain code and data that can be simultaneously utilized by multiple programs. While DLLs are not malicious by nature, they can be abused through mechanisms such as side-loading, hijacking search order, and phantom DLL hijacking.^[1]

Specific ways DLLs are abused by adversaries include:

DLL Sideloading

Adversaries may execute their own malicious payloads by side-loading DLLs. Side-loading involves hijacking which DLL a program loads by planting and then invoking a legitimate application that executes their payload(s).

Side-loading positions both the victim application and malicious payload(s) alongside each other. Adversaries likely use side-loading as a means of masking actions they perform under a legitimate, trusted, and potentially elevated system or software process. Benign executables used to side-load payloads may not be flagged during delivery and/or execution. Adversary payloads may also be encrypted/packed or otherwise obfuscated until loaded into the memory of the trusted process.

Adversaries may also side-load other packages, such as BPLs (Borland Package Library).^[2]

Adversaries may chain DLL sideloading multiple times to fragment functionality hindering analysis. Adversaries using multiple DLL files can split the loader functions across different DLLs, with a main DLL loading the separated export functions.^[3] Spreading loader functions across multiple DLLs makes analysis harder, since all files must be collected to fully understand the malware’s behavior. Another method implements a “loader-for-a-loader”, where a malicious DLL’s sole role is to load a second DLL (or a chain of DLLs) that contain the real payload.^[4]

DLL Search Order Hijacking

Adversaries may execute their own malicious payloads by hijacking the search order that Windows uses to load DLLs. This search order is a sequence of special and standard search locations that a program checks when loading a DLL. An adversary can plant a trojan DLL in a directory that will be prioritized by the DLL search order over the location of a legitimate library. This will cause Windows to load the malicious DLL when it is called for by the victim program.^[1]

DLL Redirection

Adversaries may directly modify the search order via DLL redirection, which after being enabled (in the Registry or via the creation of a redirection file) may cause a program to load a DLL from a different location.^[5],[6]

Phantom DLL Hijacking

Adversaries may leverage phantom DLL hijacking by targeting references to non-existent DLL files. They may be able to load their own malicious DLL by planting it with the correct name in the location of the missing module.^[7],[8]

DLL Substitution

Adversaries may target existing, valid DLL files and substitute them with their own malicious DLLs, planting them with the same name and in the same location as the valid DLL file.^[9]

Programs that fall victim to DLL hijacking may appear to behave normally because malicious DLLs may be configured to also load the legitimate DLLs they were meant to replace, evading defenses.

Remote DLL hijacking can occur when a program sets its current directory to a remote location, such as a Web share, before loading a DLL.^[10],[11]

If a valid DLL is configured to run at a higher privilege level, then the adversary-controlled DLL that is loaded will also be executed at the higher level. In this case, the technique could be used for privilege escalation.

References

1. Tom Fakterman, Chen Erlich, & Assaf Dahan. (2024, February 22). Intruders in the Library: Exploring DLL Hijacking. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
2. Dave Truman. (2024, June 24). Novel Technique Combination Used In IDATLOADER Distribution. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
3. Suguru Ishimaru, Hajime Yanagishita, Yusuke Niwa. (2023, October 5). Unveiling activities of Tropic Trooper 2023: deep analysis of Xiangoop Loader and EntryShell payload. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
4. Gabor Szappanos. (2023, May 3). A doubled “Dragon Breath” adds new air to DLL sideloading attacks. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
5. Microsoft. (2023, October 12). Dynamic-link library redirection. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
6. Microsoft. (2021, January 7). Manifests. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
7. Hexacorn. (2013, December 8). Beyond good ol’ Run key, Part 5. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
8. falcon.overwatch.team. (2022, December 30). 4 Ways Adversaries Hijack DLLs — and How CrowdStrike Falcon OverWatch Fights Back. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
9. Wietze Beukema. (2020, June 22). Hijacking DLLs in Windows. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
10. OWASP. (n.d.). Binary Planting. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
11. Microsoft. (2014, May 13). Microsoft Security Advisory 2269637: Insecure Library Loading Could Allow Remote Code Execution. Retrieved January 30, 2025.

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