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Use Case for USB Device Insertion and Removal

  • Writer: Pavan Raja
    Pavan Raja
  • Apr 8, 2025
  • 2 min read

Summary:

The document outlines a method for auditing USB device insertions and removals on a Windows 7 machine through Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and registry settings, enabling detailed event generation related to object access with event codes 4656 and 4663. It highlights the challenge of differentiating between inserted and removed devices solely based on audit logs due to their similar details. Additionally, it provides a troubleshooting section addressing issues with USB recognition and user confusion during file transfer, suggesting alternative ports for insertion or updating drivers as potential solutions.

Details:

The text provided discusses a use case involving the detection of USB device insertion and removal on a Windows 7 machine, specifically addressing event generation through auditing policies. Here’s a summary of key points: 1. **Auditing Setup**: The user has set up auditing for object access in Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and Registry settings to monitor USB device activities. This involves enabling audit polices under Local Policies > Audit Policy > Audit Object Access, with specific permissions granted through Advanced Auditing options in the registry. 2. **Event Generation**: Upon insertion of a USB stick, the system generates multiple events related to accessing objects, primarily using event codes 4656 (A handle to an object was requested) and 4663 (An attempt was made to access an object). The file name in these events consistently points to \REGISTRY\MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\USBSTOR\Disk&Ven_UFD&Prod_USB_Flash_Drive&Rev_1100\2KKRNCBKZNGZPTRQIOIX&0. 3. **Event Details**: The target user name in these events is the hostname followed by a dollar sign ($). Both insertion and removal operations result in similar numbers of events, with identical details for each occurrence. 4. **Issues Identified**: The main issue mentioned is that it's difficult to distinguish between inserted and removed USB devices based on the generated events alone, as they appear nearly identical both during insertion and removal processes. In summary, this use case focuses on enhancing security by auditing USB device activities in Windows 7 through detailed event generation for both insertions and removals, though there's a noted challenge in differentiating these actions solely from the audit logs generated. Parthi is having trouble when trying to transfer files from a USB stick to a Windows 7 computer using the USB port. He has two main issues: The USB device isn't being recognized, and the person whose name is on the USB drive isn't the one currently logged in to the system. To resolve these problems, Parthi should try inserting the USB stick into a different USB port or checking if the USB driver needs updating. Additionally, he can rename the USB drive to match the username of the current user logged in to avoid any confusion. This urgent request requires attention and proper resolution for seamless file transfer.

Disclaimer:
The content in this post is for informational and educational purposes only. It may reference technologies, configurations, or products that are outdated or no longer supported. If there are any comments or feedback, kindly leave a message and will be responded.

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