Sigma rule: Potential Python DLL SideLoading

Rule

Title

Potential Python DLL SideLoading

Status

test

Level

medium

Author

Swachchhanda Shrawan Poudel

Date

2024-10-06

Modified

2025-08-18

File

rules/windows/image_load/image_load_side_load_python.yml

Commit

ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84

Detects potential DLL sideloading of Python DLL files.

Log source

product

windows

category

image_load

Detection

selection:
    ImageLoaded|endswith:
        - '\python39.dll'
        - '\python310.dll'
        - '\python311.dll'
        - '\python312.dll'
filter_main_default_install_paths:
    - ImageLoaded|startswith:
          - 'C:\Program Files\Python3'
          - 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Python3'
    - ImageLoaded|contains: '\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python3'
filter_optional_visual_studio:
    ImageLoaded|startswith: 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\'
filter_optional_anaconda:
    ImageLoaded|startswith: 'C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\' # Comment out if you don't use Anaconda in your environment
filter_optional_cpython:
    ImageLoaded|contains:
        - '\cpython\externals\'
        - '\cpython\PCbuild\'
filter_optional_pyinstaller:
    # Triggered by programs bundled with PyInstaller
    ImageLoaded|startswith: 'C:\Users'
    ImageLoaded|contains: '\AppData\Local\Temp\_MEI'
filter_main_legit_signature_details:
    Product: 'Python'
    Signed: 'true'
    Description: 'Python'
    Company: 'Python Software Foundation'
condition: selection and not 1 of filter_main_* and not 1 of filter_optional_*

False positives (as the rule lists them)

• Legitimate software using Python DLLs

Tags

• attack.privilege-escalation
• attack.persistence
• attack.execution
• attack.stealth
• attack.t1574.001

MITRE ATT&CK ids this rule names

• T1574.001

References

• https://www.securonix.com/blog/seolurker-attack-campaign-uses-seo-poisoning-fake-google-ads-to-install-malware/
• https://thedfirreport.com/2024/09/30/nitrogen-campaign-drops-sliver-and-ends-with-blackcat-ransomware/
• https://github.com/wietze/HijackLibs/tree/dc9c9f2f94e6872051dab58fbafb043fdd8b4176/yml/3rd_party/python

Read on 2026-11-03T00:58:21.399Z under licence sigma-drl-1.1@d5f4c36a from https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/ccbb0369507f796db0b0ae6854c8a2be471b9d84/rules/windows/image_load/image_load_side_load_python.yml