As a business leader, are you aware of the latest cyber threats that could be compromising your company's security? Recently, we have witnessed a surge in a type of cyberattack known as password spraying, where cybercriminals exploit common usernames and passwords to gain unauthorized access. These attacks are not just sophisticated, but alarmingly effective, raising critical questions about an organization's defenses.
Are your systems truly protected against pervasive threats like password spraying? Dive into this article to uncover how password spraying works and, more importantly, how you can shield your business from becoming the next victim.
What is password spraying?
Password spraying is a type of brute-force cyberattack where attackers use a list of common or stolen passwords (dictionary) across multiple user accounts to gain unauthorized access. Unlike traditional brute-force attacks, which attempt many passwords on a single account and often trigger account lockout mechanisms, password spraying distributes these attempts across numerous accounts to avoid detection and increase the chances of finding a valid combination.
Think of a password spray attack like a thief using a set of master keys to try and open multiple doors in your building. In this analogy, the building represents your company's network, the doors symbolize user accounts, and the master keys are the dictionary of common or stolen passwords that a cybercriminal can buy from another hacker or Initial Access Broker (IAB).
An IAB is a cyber threat actor whose specialty is hacking into vulnerable networks and then selling that access to other cybercriminals. Picture an IAB as a digital locksmith who has previously acquired a collection of master keys and then sells those keys to other cybercriminals. IABs gather these usernames and common passwords from prior breaches, credential leaks, and other sources, exploiting common vulnerabilities that are easily accessible from the outside world.
Why is password-spraying effective?
Password-spraying cyberattacks are particularly effective because they exploit the common practice of using weak passwords and recurring usernames that are easy to guess. Some of the most common passwords that attackers use include:
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- "admin"
- "password"
- "123456"
- "p@ssw0rd"
- "password123"
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Attackers will attempt to use a dictionary of passwords to target numerous user accounts, typically automating the process and spreading it out over time. This method aims to circumvent account lockout mechanisms that activate after multiple failed attempts on a single account within a specified time frame.
Compounding this vulnerability, organizations frequently use usernames like "john.doe," "guest," or "test," making password-spraying attacks even easier for hackers. While these usernames are convenient and easy to remember, they also become prime targets for cyberattacks.
The next step is to determine how your organization can build defenses to protect against password spraying and similar attack vectors.
Preventing password-spraying attacks
To effectively safeguard your organization from password spraying attacks, it's imperative to implement robust cybersecurity measures. Here are recommendations for mitigating the threats to your organization:
Enforce Stringent Password Policies:
Implement password policies that meet the NIST guidelines for creation and maintenance. This would include a requirement for complex and unique passwords.
Deploy Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Implement MFA across all systems, ensuring that even if a password is compromised, additional authentication layers still block unauthorized access.
Establish Account Lockout Policies:
Temporarily disable accounts after a set number of failed login attempts, deterring attackers from repeatedly trying common passwords and minimizing the attack surface.
Monitor and Analyze Login Patterns:
Regularly monitor and analyze login activity to identify and respond to suspicious behavior swiftly.
Invest in Employee Education:
Educate employees about cybersecurity best practices, including the risks of password reuse and the importance of strong passwords.
By integrating these strategies, you not only enhance your organization's security posture but also protect your valuable data and assets from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The recommendations above are the very same that we use at Systems Engineering to protect ourselves and our clients from cybercriminal activity.
These mitigating strategies, along with information about current cyber hacking techniques, real-world examples of the playbooks used by bad actors in performing those techniques, and how to detect the initial attack and persistent footholds can all be found on the MITRE | ATT&CK® open-source knowledgebase. This is open and available to any person or organization for use at no charge.
In today's rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, staying ahead of cyber threats like password spraying is more crucial than ever. As business leaders, your commitment to implementing robust security measures can make all the difference in safeguarding your organization’s valuable assets.
By enforcing stringent password policies, deploying multi-factor authentication, establishing account lockout protocols, and monitoring login patterns, you create a formidable defense against cybercriminals. Coupled with ongoing employee education on best practices, these proactive strategies will not only secure your organization's future but also inspire confidence among your stakeholders.
Kent Goodrow, CISO at Systems Engineering, brings 18+ years of experience in IT management and security. As a Certified Information Security, Cyber-AB, and ISC2 professional, Kent prioritizes safeguarding end users, computing ecosystems, client data, and managing organizational risk in the complex cyber landscape.
