MITRE ATT&CKtechnique

T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access

Published 2018-04-18 Modified 2025-10-24 Official page ↗
Domain
enterprise
Tactics
Credential Access
Platforms
Linux, Windows, macOS, Identity Provider
Version
1.6
Created
2018-04-18

Description

Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to collect credentials. Exploitation of a software vulnerability occurs when an adversary takes advantage of a programming error in a program, service, or within the operating system software or kernel itself to execute adversary-controlled code.  Credentialing and authentication mechanisms may be targeted for exploitation by adversaries as a means to gain access to useful credentials or circumvent the process to gain authenticated access to systems. One example of this is `MS14-068`, which targets Kerberos and can be used to forge Kerberos tickets using domain user permissions. Another example of this is replay attacks, in which the adversary intercepts data packets sent between parties and then later replays these packets. If services don't properly validate authentication requests, these replayed packets may allow an adversary to impersonate one of the parties and gain unauthorized access or privileges. Such exploitation has been demonstrated in cloud environments as well. For example, adversaries have exploited vulnerabilities in public cloud infrastructure that allowed for unintended authentication token creation and renewal. Exploitation for credential access may also result in Privilege Escalation depending on the process targeted or credentials obtained.

Related

Tactic · MITRE ATT&CK (1)

  • TA0006 Credential Access tactic

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · mitigates (5)

  • M1048 Application Isolation and Sandboxing mitigation
  • M1050 Exploit Protection mitigation
  • M1051 Update Software mitigation
  • M1019 Threat Intelligence Program mitigation
  • M1013 Application Developer Guidance mitigation

Referenced by MITRE ATT&CK · uses (2)

  • G1048 UNC3886 group
  • C0049 Leviathan Australian Intrusions campaign

Referenced by Compliance · mitigates (32)

  • CIS-10.5 Enable Anti-Exploitation Features CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-16.10 Apply Secure Design Principles in Application Architectures CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-16.11 Leverage Vetted Modules or Services for Application Security Components CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-16.12 Implement Code-Level Security Checks CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-16.3 Perform Root Cause Analysis on Security Vulnerabilities CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-7.4 Perform Automated Application Patch Management CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-7.7 Remediate Detected Vulnerabilities CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • CIS-9.1 Ensure Use of Only Fully Supported Browsers and Email Clients CIS Safeguard v8.1
  • NIST-AC-2 Account Management NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-4 Information Flow Enforcement NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-AC-6 Least Privilege NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CA-7 Continuous Monitoring NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-2 Baseline Configuration NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-6 Configuration Settings NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-CM-8 System Component Inventory NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-2 Identification and Authentication (Organizational Users) NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-IA-5 Authenticator Management NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-RA-10 Threat Hunting NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-18 Mobile Code NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-2 Separation of System and User Functionality NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-26 Decoys NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-3 Security Function Isolation NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-30 Concealment and Misdirection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-35 External Malicious Code Identification NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-39 Process Isolation NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SC-7 Boundary Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-2 Flaw Remediation NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-3 Malicious Code Protection NIST 800-53 control
  • NIST-SI-4 System Monitoring NIST 800-53 control
Show all 32 ›

References