T1038: DLL Search Order Hijacking Mitigation
Disallow loading of remote DLLs. [1] This is included by default in Windows Server 2012+ and is available by patch for XP+ and Server 2003+. [2] Path Algorithm
Enable Safe DLL Search Mode to force search for system DLLs in directories with greater restrictions (e.g. %SYSTEMROOT%)to be used before local directory DLLs (e.g. a user's home directory). The Safe DLL Search Mode can be enabled via Group Policy at Computer Configuration > [Policies] > Administrative Templates > MSS (Legacy): MSS: (SafeDllSearchMode) Enable Safe DLL search mode. The associated Windows Registry key for this is located at HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\SafeDLLSearchMode [2]
Use auditing tools capable of detecting DLL search order hijacking opportunities on systems within an enterprise and correct them. Toolkits like the PowerSploit framework contain PowerUp modules that can be used to explore systems for DLL hijacking weaknesses. [3]
Identify and block potentially malicious software that may be executed through search order hijacking by using whitelisting [4] tools like AppLocker [5] [6] that are capable of auditing and/or blocking unknown DLLs.
This ATT&CK object is revoked or deprecated in the current MITRE ATT&CK release.
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Analyst summary pending validation
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DLL Search Order Hijacking Mitigation
Disallow loading of remote DLLs. [1] This is included by default in Windows Server 2012+ and is available by patch for XP+ and Server 2003+. [2] Path Algorithm
Enable Safe DLL Search Mode to force search for system DLLs in directories with greater restrictions (e.g. %SYSTEMROOT%)to be used before local directory DLLs (e.g. a user's home directory). The Safe DLL Search Mode can be enabled via Group Policy at Computer Configuration > [Policies] > Administrative Templates > MSS (Legacy): MSS: (SafeDllSearchMode) Enable Safe DLL search mode. The associated Windows Registry key for this is located at HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\SafeDLLSearchMode [2]
Use auditing tools capable of detecting DLL search order hijacking opportunities on systems within an enterprise and correct them. Toolkits like the PowerSploit framework contain PowerUp modules that can be used to explore systems for DLL hijacking weaknesses. [3]
Identify and block potentially malicious software that may be executed through search order hijacking by using whitelisting [4] tools like AppLocker [5] [6] that are capable of auditing and/or blocking unknown DLLs.
How security teams should use this page
Treat this object as behavior context, not an attribution claim. Validate the related groups, software, data sources, and mitigations against official ATT&CK relationships and your own telemetry before making control-coverage decisions.
All related ATT&CK context
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Object version and sync metadata
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Imported snapshots across ATT&CK releases (1)
| Release | Bundle imported | Object version | Modified | Status | Raw hash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19.1 | 1.0 | Current bundle Deprecated | 5962fe5bd7d9… |
Mirrored ATT&CK source object
The raw object is retained through the mirrored ATT&CK source bundle and object hash. The raw endpoint returns the exact object from the mirrored bundle when available.
External references and citations
MITRE external references are preserved separately from Glexia analysis so citations remain traceable to their original source records.
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[1]
Microsoft DLL Preloading
Microsoft. (2010, August 12). More information about the DLL Preloading remote attack vector. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
Open source URL -
[2]
Microsoft DLL Search
Microsoft. (n.d.). Dynamic-Link Library Search Order. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
Open source URL -
[3]
Powersploit
PowerSploit. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2014.
Open source URL -
[4]
Beechey 2010
Beechey, J. (2010, December). Application Whitelisting: Panacea or Propaganda?. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
Open source URL -
[5]
Windows Commands JPCERT
Tomonaga, S. (2016, January 26). Windows Commands Abused by Attackers. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
Open source URL -
[6]
NSA MS AppLocker
NSA Information Assurance Directorate. (2014, August). Application Whitelisting Using Microsoft AppLocker. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
Open source URL -
[7]
mitre-attack T1038Open source URL
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