Suspicious CANONSTAGER DLL Side-Loading via cnmpaui Executable

ATT&CK techniques

Execution → Defense Evasion

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
- T1574.001DLL
Persistence
- T1574.001DLL
Priv Esc
- T1574.001DLL
Defense Evasion
- T1574.001DLL
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule detects the legitimate Canon utility cnmpaui.exe loading a DLL from a user-writable directory outside its normal Program Files location, matching the PRC-Nexus CANONSTAGER side-loading that launches the SOGU.SEC backdoor. Abusing a signed printer binary lets the actor execute malicious code under a trusted process during espionage against diplomats.

Reporting behind it

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Suspicious CANONSTAGER DLL Side-Loading via cnmpaui Executable

Pivot detection · T1574.001 · 9 related

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

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