Print Spooler Failed to Load a Plug-in

The following analytic detects driver load errors in the Windows PrintService Admin logs, specifically identifying issues related to CVE-2021-34527 (PrintNightmare). It triggers on error messages indicating the print spooler failed to load a plug-in module, such as "meterpreter.dll," with error code 0x45A. This detection method leverages specific event codes and error messages. This activity is significant as it may indicate an exploitation attempt of a known vulnerability. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could gain unauthorized code execution on the affected system, leading to potential system compromise.

ATT&CK coverage

Outside the enterprise matrix

T1547.012

Detection requirements

Log source category: windows_event_log_printservice_4909 windows_event_log_printservice_808

Detection logic

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Detection catalogue

ATT&CK coverage

Detection requirements

Detection logic