🔑 MITRE ATT&CK: Tactic TA0006 Credential Access: Keys to the Kingdom

bharat kumar
Oct 24
3 min read

When an attacker gets your credentials, it’s game over. The MITRE ATT&CK Tactic TA0006 – Credential Access focuses on how adversaries capture usernames, passwords, and tokens to move deeper into systems and networks. This is the phase where they turn a single compromise into complete control. 🧠💀

🧩 What Is Credential Access?

Credential Access covers all methods used by attackers to steal or manipulate login data.Instead of breaking through firewalls, they simply log in like you do — only with your identity. Once inside, they can escalate privileges, move laterally, and stay hidden for months.

⚙️ Common: Techniques & examples

Credential dumping Extracting stored credentials or password hashes from system stores (e.g., pulling secrets from memory or the SAM/LSASS database) so attackers can reuse or crack them.
Brute force / password spraying Trying many passwords or the same common password across many accounts; password spraying targets many users with a few guesses to avoid lockouts.
Credential stuffing Replaying username/password pairs leaked from other breaches against your systems — automated bots test millions of combos in seconds.
Phishing / credential harvesting Fake login pages or deceptive emails that trick users into handing over usernames and passwords or OTPs.
Input capture (keylogging & form capture) Malware or scripts record keystrokes, clipboard contents, or form submissions to harvest typed credentials and tokens.
Session / token theft Stealing active session cookies, OAuth tokens, or API keys from browsers, local storage, or intercepted traffic to impersonate users without passwords.
Pass-the-hash / pass-the-ticket & reuse of authentication artifacts Using stolen NTLM hashes, Kerberos tickets, or other authentication artifacts to authenticate without knowing the cleartext password.
Use of valid accounts (account takeover) Compromised or purchased credentials are used directly to log in and move laterally, often blending into normal activity.
Secrets in files, scripts, or repos (hardcoded/unsecured credentials) Plaintext passwords, keys or connection strings found in config files, scripts, or source code repositories that attackers discover and use.
Cloud token & credential theft Harvesting cloud provider keys, service account tokens, or session tokens from environment variables, metadata services, or CI/CD secrets stores.
Recovery and reset abuse Exploiting password reset flows, insecure account recovery questions, or help-desk processes to set new credentials and gain access.
Network sniffing / interception Capturing credentials transmitted over the network (unencrypted or poorly protected) or performing man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept login data.
Keychain & browser credential extraction Pulling saved usernames and passwords from browser stores or OS keychains that are not properly protected or encrypted.
Social engineering (voice / vishing / in-person)Calling, messaging, or convincing support staff or users to reveal passwords, reset links, or temporary codes.
Automated infostealers & malware loaders Lightweight malware that collects saved credentials, browser cookies, and form data and sends them to attacker-controlled servers.

📰 What’s Happening Lately

In recent months, there’s been a noticeable surge in massive credential dumps and infostealer campaigns targeting both individuals and corporations. Attackers now use automated bots to test billions of leaked username–password pairs in seconds. Even multi-factor authentication isn’t always safe — new phishing kits can intercept OTPs and push notifications in real time. ⚠️

🧠 Recommendations: How to Defend Against TA0006

✅ Adopt phishing-resistant MFA – Use passkeys or hardware security keys instead of OTP apps or SMS.

✅ Enforce strong and unique passwords – Avoid reusing credentials across systems.

✅ Enable password managers – They generate and store complex passwords securely.

✅ Harden memory protection – Enable LSASS protection, disable credential caching, and monitor for suspicious access.

✅ Watch for login anomalies – Detect and block unusual geolocations or rapid login attempts.

✅ Educate employees – Phishing awareness and security hygiene make a huge difference.

🚨 Final Thoughts

Credentials are the keys to your digital kingdom — and attackers know it. Every reused password, every ignored MFA prompt, and every unchecked login attempt gives them another chance to slip in.

Protect your credentials, and you protect everything built on them. 🔐💪