Attack Technique
Password Spraying
Password spraying is a brute force attack technique where cyber adversaries attempt to compromise multiple accounts by using a few commonly used passwords. This method circumvents account lockouts triggered by repeated login attempts on a single account, making it a popular strategy among attackers seeking broad access with minimal effort.
Definition
What is Password Spraying?
Password spraying involves the systematic trial of a small set of common or weak passwords against numerous user accounts. Unlike traditional brute force attacks that focus on a single account with many password attempts, password spraying spreads the attempts across a wide range of accounts, thereby evading detection mechanisms and account lockout policies.
How it works
How Password Spraying Works
Attackers employ the following tactics in password spraying campaigns:
- Low-volume attacks: By limiting the number of attempts per account, attackers avoid triggering account lockout policies and reduce the likelihood of detection.
- Common passwords: Cyber adversaries target frequently used passwords or those derived from easily guessable patterns, banking on the possibility that some users have not updated default or weak credentials.
- Automated tools: Attackers use automated scripts to efficiently test their password lists across large numbers of accounts, significantly increasing the speed and scale of the attack.
- Credential harvesting: Often combined with reconnaissance efforts, password spraying may be used in tandem with credential harvesting techniques to refine target lists and improve the chances of success.
Why attackers use it
Why Attackers Leverage Password Spraying
Password spraying is a favored technique due to several key advantages for attackers:
- Evasion of security controls: Low-volume attempts per account help bypass traditional security mechanisms that flag repeated failed login attempts.
- Broad impact: By targeting numerous accounts simultaneously, attackers can potentially compromise a wide range of user credentials across the organization.
- Minimal noise: The dispersed nature of the attack creates less noticeable anomalies in login patterns, making it challenging for security teams to pinpoint the threat.
- Resource efficiency: Password spraying requires fewer resources and can be automated, allowing attackers to execute campaigns at scale with minimal effort.
Platform Detections
How to Prevent and Detect Password Spraying Attacks
Mitigating password spraying requires a comprehensive strategy that combines proactive measures with advanced detection:
- Enforce strong password policies: Encourage the use of complex, unique passwords that are difficult to guess. Consider implementing password complexity requirements and regular update cycles.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA across all accounts to add an extra layer of security, ensuring that compromised credentials alone are insufficient for access.
- Account lockout policies: Carefully balance account lockout thresholds to deter brute force attempts while minimizing disruption to legitimate users.
- Continuous monitoring: Deploy AI-driven threat detection solutions to monitor login activities and flag anomalous patterns that could indicate password spraying.
- User education: Regularly train employees on the importance of strong password hygiene and the risks associated with using common or default credentials.
The Vectra AI Platform leverages advanced AI-driven threat detection to monitor authentication events in real time. By analyzing login patterns and correlating anomalies with known password spraying behaviors, the platform empowers security teams to identify and respond to these threats swiftly, minimizing the potential for compromise.
