{"description":"Trending threats, MITRE ATT\u0026CK coverage, and detection metadata — refreshed continuously.","feed_url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/tags/wineloader/","home_page_url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/","items":[{"_cs_actors":["APT29","Cozy Bear","NOBELIUM","UNC2452","Midnight Blizzard","The Dukes"],"_cs_cves":[],"_cs_exploited":false,"_cs_products":["Visual C++ Redistributable"],"_cs_severities":["high"],"_cs_tags":["dll-sideloading","vcruntime140.dll","apt29","wineloader","defense-evasion","persistence","privilege-escalation"],"_cs_type":"threat","_cs_vendors":["Microsoft"],"content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThis brief addresses the threat of DLL sideloading, specifically targeting the \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e library, a common component of the Visual C++ Redistributable. Threat actors, including APT29, have been observed exploiting this technique to load malicious payloads disguised as legitimate applications. By placing a malicious \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e in the same directory as a vulnerable application (e.g., SqlWriter, SqlDumper), attackers can hijack the application\u0026rsquo;s execution flow. This allows them to bypass security measures and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised application. The use of \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e sideloading has been documented in campaigns involving WinELOADER and targeted attacks against European diplomats. This technique is effective for defense evasion and establishing persistence on compromised systems.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"attack-chain\"\u003eAttack Chain\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe attacker identifies a vulnerable application susceptible to DLL sideloading, such as SqlWriter or SqlDumper.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe attacker crafts a malicious \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e containing the desired payload (e.g., a reverse shell or malware loader).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe attacker gains initial access to the target system (e.g., through phishing or exploiting a software vulnerability).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe attacker places the malicious \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e in the same directory as the vulnerable application.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe attacker executes the vulnerable application (e.g., SqlWriter.exe).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe application attempts to load \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e from its local directory, inadvertently loading the malicious version instead of the legitimate system library.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe malicious DLL executes its payload within the context of the vulnerable application, bypassing security controls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe attacker achieves persistence and privilege escalation, enabling further malicious activities on the compromised system.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"impact\"\u003eImpact\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuccessful DLL sideloading can lead to a complete compromise of the affected system. Attackers can use this technique to execute arbitrary code, install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish a persistent foothold for future attacks. This technique has been observed in targeted attacks against political organizations and diplomats, highlighting its potential for espionage and disruption. If successful, organizations risk data breaches, financial loss, and reputational damage.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"recommendation\"\u003eRecommendation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeploy the Sigma rule \u0026ldquo;Potential Vcruntime140 DLL Sideloading\u0026rdquo; to your SIEM to detect instances of suspicious \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e loading from non-standard paths (logsource: image_load/windows).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvestigate any instances of \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e being loaded from directories other than \u003ccode\u003eC:\\Windows\\System32\\\u003c/code\u003e, \u003ccode\u003eC:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\\u003c/code\u003e, \u003ccode\u003eC:\\Program Files\\\u003c/code\u003e, or \u003ccode\u003eC:\\Program Files (x86)\\\u003c/code\u003e using process creation logs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImplement application whitelisting to prevent the execution of unauthorized applications and DLLs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonitor for unsigned or improperly signed instances of \u003ccode\u003evcruntime140.dll\u003c/code\u003e being loaded.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n","date_modified":"2024-01-03T12:00:00Z","date_published":"2024-01-03T12:00:00Z","id":"/briefs/2024-01-vcruntime140-dll-sideload/","summary":"Detects potential DLL sideloading of vcruntime140.dll, a common C++ runtime library, often used by threat actors like APT29 (via WinELOADER) to load malicious payloads under the guise of legitimate applications, leading to defense evasion, persistence, and privilege escalation.","title":"Potential Vcruntime140 DLL Sideloading","url":"https://feed.craftedsignal.io/briefs/2024-01-vcruntime140-dll-sideload/"}],"language":"en","title":"CraftedSignal Threat Feed — Wineloader","version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1"}