Imagine giving 20 assignments to a person who can only do one assignment at a time. He obviously won’t remember all of them, so he needs to write them down somewhere and cross them out from their to-do list as they accomplishes each task one-by-one. This process of placing a backlog of consecutive tasks into memory is called spooling. Now let’s take a deeper dive at what systems in a computer use spooling and why it is a threat for cyber security.
What Is Spooling in General?
The term “spooling” is commonly used in networking and computer systems contexts to refer to the process of saving data temporarily so that it can be processed more efficiently at a later time. The acronym “SPOOL” originally stood for Simultaneous Peripheral Operation On-Line, but is now often simply referred to as spooling.
This process is commonly implemented in typical input/output devices like the printer, mouse, and keyboard in order to buffer the data to stay “in a line” of execution and wait until its time to run. Typically, the spool is stored in a computer’s physical memory or buffers, and I/O device-specific interrupts.
The most vivid example of a spooling device is a printer. When you send several documents for print and they are spooled in the printer spooler, you can be sure that each document will be printed one after another in a correct order.
In the network spooling context, spooling is used to store data in memory so that it can be processed more efficiently at a later time. When spooling is being done, the data being temporarily stored can be accessed by other applications or processes and therefore it becomes vulnerable to cyber threats like malware and viruses.
Step-by-Step Spooling Process
In order to better understand what spooling is and how it works, we need to review a simple step-by-step sequence of what happens when a spooling device such as a printer is called to do a series of printing commands.
- A command is sent to the spooling device, which is usually a printer.
- The printer receives the command and stores it in a spool, which is an area of memory that holds data until it can be processed.
- After the command is stored in the spool, the printer can move on to other tasks.
- Once the printer is ready, it starts processing and executing the commands that were stored in the spool.
- The result is then printed and the memory space that was occupied by the spooled command is released.
It is also important to note that spooling process might not be limited to spooling device only. It might include other components like network spoolers and spooler queues for example, which are responsible for storing data sent over the network.
Pros and Cons of Spooling
As you can see, spooling is quite a useful process, which allows devices to process multiple tasks consecutively without overloads or timing conflicts. However, spooling comes with both benefits and shortcomings.
Pros of Spooling
- Spooling allows devices to process multiple tasks sequentially.
- It reduces workloads and helps in avoiding timing conflicts between tasks.
- It can be used to store data in memory, which helps in increasing computer efficiency.
Cons of Spooling
- Spooling also makes data vulnerable to cyber threats, as the data can be accessed by other applications or processes during the spooling process.
- Spooling can increase the probability of data loss, since it is stored in a temporary manner.
- It can also lead to delays in the processing of data, as it needs certain amount of time to spool the data.
What Is a Spooling Attack in Cyber Security?
The problem with spooling is that cyber criminals can use it to their advantage and deploy malicious attacks like spooling attacks. Spooling attack is a cyber attack which involves sending malicious data to a vulnerable device which is in the spooling process.
The cyber criminal can then access the data and make changes to it, or even modify the data and inject it with malicious codes. Once the malicious code is injected, it can be used to gain remote access or control of the device or the system.
Another way hackers exploit spooling is by installing drivers, like printing drivers, to a spooling device. These corrupted drivers may be used to inject malicious code into the system or execute cyber attacks such as ransomware.
It is also possible to command the spooler to print documents at privileged locations, thus enabling cyber criminals to gain access to sensitive documents stored on the same network.
Finally, hackers can overload the spooler with requests (like printing requests), thus causing the system to malfunction and eventually crash, which is known as the DOS (Denial-of-Service) attack.
Therefore, spooling attacks can be used to gain access and control of the network, which allows cyber criminals to carry out cyber attacks such as theft of confidential data or sabotage.
How Would a Perpetrator Access the Spooling Device?
As with any cyber attack, cyber criminals need to gain access to the device in question. This can be done by exploiting different vulnerabilities in the system or by using social engineering tactics to gain access. This can happen in several ways:
- By exploiting known vulnerabilities in the system
- By using Trojans or other malicious programs to gain access
- By sending malware via email or other methods
- By using social engineering tactics, such as phishing or pretexting, to trick users into providing access
- By using brute force attacks to guess passwords
Once the cyber criminal gains access, they can then exploit the spooling process to carry out attacks or gain access to sensitive data stored on the system.
Types of Spooling Vulnerabilities
Spooling vulnerabilities are typically caused by weaknesses in the system’s security settings and policies. These can range from universal user access, to lack of encryption, to inadequate cyber security measures. For example, if the system allows users to access the spooler without authentication or authorization, it can be easily accessed by cyber criminals.
Nevertheless, there are three main threats and vulnerabilities when it comes to spooling.
1. The PrintDemon (CVE-2020-1048)
This vulnerability allows cyber criminals to gain remote access to the system by exploiting an innate flaw in Windows print spooler service. An attacker can gain access to the system and execute arbitrary code by sending a specially crafted request with malicious content. Even though this particular vulnerability can only be executed when the attacker is logged in and not remotely, it’s still a serious problem.
2. DoS Vulnerability in Print Spoolers
This vulnerability allows cyber criminals to crash the system by sending a large number of print jobs to the spooler. This in turn exhausts all available resources and eventually crashes the system. This crash prevents the normal functioning of the printer device and collapses the entire network.
3. Access to Sensitive Data through Spooler
Finally, cyber criminals can gain access to sensitive data that’s stored on the same network as the printer by exploiting the spooler. This can be done by sending malicious print requests to privileged locations, thus allowing cyber criminals to access confidential information stored on the same server.
By understanding how cyber criminals exploit spooling, you can better protect your network and data from cyber threats.
How to Prevent Spooling Attacks?
To prevent cyber criminals from exploiting spoolers, it’s important to ensure that cyber security measures are in place. These include the following tactics and precautions:
1. Implement strong authentication procedures
When accessing sensitive data, ensure users must provide a passcode or biometric access. If possible, two-factor authentication should be used to further protect the system. Spooling attacks, in particular, can be prevented by using authentication and authorization procedures that protect the spooler from unauthorized access.
2. Use firewalls and antivirus software to detect malicious traffic
Firewalls and antivirus software can monitor for suspicious traffic patterns or activities that may indicate an attack from spoolers. It’s also important to keep your firewall and antivirus software up-to-date in order to detect the latest cyber threats. Software such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) and anti-spam filters can also be used to detect cyber threats.
3. Restrict access to shared resources
By limiting the number of people who have access to shared resources, the chances of a malicious actor infiltrating your system are reduced. Network administrators should also ensure that permissions are given out on a need-to-know basis and users with access to the printer spooler should only be allowed to perform authorized activities.
4. Monitor log files
Regularly review log files for any unauthorized activities or suspicious activity that might indicate a spooling attack. Any unauthorized activities should be reported and investigated. Automating the process of monitoring for cyber threats is also recommended.
5. Train your employees
Educate employees on how to identify potential threats and how to respond in case of an attack. Regular cyber security training should be provided to all employees so that they know how to detect cyber threats and mitigate the risk of a cyber attack. Besides, make sure your security specialists have the best laptops for cyber security.
Other Attacks Similar to Spooling
There are several cyber threats that are similar to spooling attacks. It is important to know them in order to better protect yourself from cyber criminals.
Spoofing
Spoofing is a cyber attack that involves the cyber criminal impersonating a trusted entity or user in order to gain access to sensitive data. Spoofed emails and websites can also be used to steal login credentials and other confidential information.
Phishing
In phishing attacks, cyber criminals send emails that appear to be from a legitimate source in order to deceive users into divulging confidential information. The cyber criminal usually requests personal or financial data such as credit card numbers or passwords.
Whaling
Whaling attacks are cyber threats that target high-level executives or other employees with access to sensitive data. The cyber criminals usually send emails containing malicious attachments or links in order to gain access to the targeted network.
Cloning
Cloning is a cyber attack that involves the cyber criminal creating an identical copy of a legitimate server or website in order to obtain sensitive information. The cyber criminal then uses this duplicate server or website to steal data or credentials.
Tailgating
Tailgating is a cyber security threat in which cyber criminals gain access to restricted areas by following an authorized user. Cyber criminals can use this method to gain access to sensitive data or networks.
These types of cyber security threats are constantly evolving and cyber criminals are getting more sophisticated with their tactics. It is important to remain vigilant and stay up-to-date on cyber security best practices in order to protect yourself from cyber threats. By implementing the cyber security measures mentioned above, you can help protect your system from cyber criminals and mitigate the risk of a cyber attack.
FAQ
1. What is spooling in cyber security?
Spooling is a cyber security threat that involves the cybercriminal copying or printing documents or data that are stored on a network printer queue. This type of attack can be used to steal confidential information or disrupt business operations.
2. How does spooling work?
Spooling attacks occur when a malicious actor uploads a document to a network printer queue and causes the document to print multiple times, which can slow down or even stop the printer from working. This type of attack can also cause damage to the printer and disrupt business operations.
3. What are the different types of spooling attacks?
There are three main types of spooling attacks: copy, destroy and print. Copy attacks involve the cybercriminal duplicating documents that are stored on the printer queue, destroy attacks involve the cybercriminal deleting documents from the queue, and print attacks involve printing multiple copies of documents that are stored on the queue.
4. What are the signs of a spooling attack?
The signs of a spooling attack include documents or data being printed multiple times, files disappearing from printers queues without being printed, printers not responding or slowing down, and documents appearing to be printed but ending up in the queue instead.
5. How can I protect myself from spooling attacks?
The best way to protect yourself from spooling attacks is to ensure that your network security is up-to-date and secure. It is also important to monitor printer queues for any suspicious activity and restrict access to sensitive data or documents. Additionally, it is important to keep all software and hardware up-to-date with the latest security patches. Finally, if you suspect that your network has been compromised by a spooling attack, be sure to contact cyber security experts for help.
Conclusion
Spooling is a cyber security threat that should not be taken lightly. Cyber criminals can use this method to steal confidential documents and data, disrupt business operations, and even cause physical damage to printers or networks.
It is important to stay vigilant and ensure that cyber security measures are in place in order to protect against cyber threats such as spooling. By monitoring printer queues for any suspicious activity, restricting access to sensitive documents and data, and keeping all software and hardware up-to-date with the latest security patches, you can help protect yourself from spooling attacks.
If you suspect that your network has been compromised by a cyber criminal, it is important to contact cyber security experts for help.
Good luck and stay safe in this digital age!
Elmar Mammadov is a software developer, tech startup founder, and computer science career specialist. He is the founder of CS Careerline and a true career changer who has previously pursued careers in medicine and neuroscience.
Due to his interest in programming and years of past personal experience in coding, he decided to break into the tech industry by attending a Master’s in Computer Science for career changers at University of Pennsylvania. Elmar passionately writes and coaches about breaking into the tech industry and computer science in general.
