Elastic Security Detection Rules

Suspicious Print Spooler File Deletion

Last updated 5 months ago on 2025-03-20
Created 4 years ago on 2021-07-06

About

Detects deletion of print driver files by an unusual process. This may indicate a clean up attempt post successful privilege escalation via Print Spooler service related vulnerabilities.
Tags
Domain: EndpointOS: WindowsUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Privilege EscalationData Source: Elastic EndgameUse Case: VulnerabilityData Source: Elastic DefendData Source: SysmonData Source: Microsoft Defender for EndpointData Source: SentinelOneLanguage: eql
Severity
medium
Risk Score
47
MITRE ATT&CK™

Privilege Escalation (TA0004)(opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068)(opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples
Uninstall or manual deletion of a legitimate printing driver files. Verify the printer file metadata such as manufacturer and signature information.
License
Elastic License v2(opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Event Correlation Rule
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
winlogbeat-*logs-endpoint.events.file-*logs-windows.sysmon_operational-*endgame-*logs-m365_defender.event-*logs-sentinel_one_cloud_funnel.*
Related Integrations

endpoint(opens in a new tab or window)

windows(opens in a new tab or window)

m365_defender(opens in a new tab or window)

sentinel_one_cloud_funnel(opens in a new tab or window)

Query
file where host.os.type == "windows" and event.type == "deletion" and
  file.extension : "dll" and file.path : "?:\\Windows\\System32\\spool\\drivers\\x64\\3\\*.dll" and
  not process.name : ("spoolsv.exe", "dllhost.exe", "explorer.exe")

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect Suspicious Print Spooler File Deletion in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(opens in a new tab or window).