File Content Extraction 26.1
Filter SDK C Programming Guide

# Mitigate Against DLL Pre-Loading

When an application loads a shared library such as `kvfilter.dll` or `kvfilter.so`, the Operating System or runtime linker might search several locations. This search can allow DLL pre-loading attacks if an attacker is able to place a malicious binary in one of the locations searched. It might also lead to unexpected results if a different version of File Content Extraction is present in one of the locations searched.

## Mitigation on Windows

On Windows, you can use the `kvfilter` import library, or manually load `kvfilter.dll` with LoadLibrary. If you use the import library, you can mitigate against DLL pre-loading attacks by embedding a manifest in your executable so that Windows only searches for `kvfilter.dll` in its expected location. For example:

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
       <assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0">
          <file name="kvfilter.dll" />
       </assembly>

If you load `kvfilter.dll` with LoadLibrary, you must use a fully qualified path to prevent Windows searching for the library in other locations.

## Mitigation on Other Platforms

On other platforms, you can link against `kvfilter.so` while building your application, or manually load it with dlopen. In either case, OpenText recommends that you use an absolute path to `kvfilter.so` to prevent the OS or runtime linker searching for the library in other locations.

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Version 26.1 | Last updated January 2026

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Product: File Content Extraction 26.1

Topic Title: Mitigate Against DLL Pre-Loading