T1212 - Exploitation for Credential Access

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.(Citation: Technet MS14-068)(Citation: ADSecurity Detecting Forged Tickets) 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.(Citation: Bugcrowd Replay Attack)(Citation: Comparitech Replay Attack)(Citation: Microsoft Midnight Blizzard Replay Attack)

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.(Citation: Storm-0558 techniques for unauthorized email access)

Exploitation for credential access may also result in Privilege Escalation depending on the process targeted or credentials obtained.

Atomic Tests:

Currently, no tests are available for this technique.

Detection

Detecting software exploitation may be difficult depending on the tools available. Software exploits may not always succeed or may cause the exploited process to become unstable or crash. Also look for behavior on the system that might indicate successful compromise, such as abnormal behavior of processes. Credential resources obtained through exploitation may be detectable in use if they are not normally used or seen.

Shield Active Defense

Application Diversity

Present the adversary with a variety of installed applications and services.

Application diversity is presenting multiple software targets to the adversary. On a single target system, defenders can configure multiple different services or user software applications. On a target network, defenders can present systems with a variety of operating systems, operating system versions, applications, and services.

Opportunity

In an adversary engagement scenario, there is an opportunity to use a variety of applications on a system to see what an adversary tries to exploit in order to acquire credentials.

Use Case

A defender can use a variety of applications on a decoy system or in a decoy network to see what an adversary tries to exploit in order to acquire credentials.

Procedures

Use a mix of vulnerable and nonvulnerable software on a system to allow you to see what exploits the adversary leverages in their attacks. Install Anti-virus or other end-point detection tools on systems to see if an adversary takes note of them and if so, how they react.