Password Spraying
A brute-force attack targeting a few common passwords across many accounts.
Understanding:
Password spraying is a type of brute force attack in which attackers attempt to gain unauthorized access by trying a few common passwords against many accounts instead of using multiple passwords on a single account. This technique helps avoid account lockouts, which typically occur after multiple failed login attempts on the same account.
Common Applications and Use Cases:
Credential Stuffing Attacks – Attackers use previously leaked or commonly used passwords to breach accounts.
Cloud & Enterprise Account Attacks – Adversaries target Active Directory (AD), Office 365, and other enterprise systems to find weak accounts.
Initial Access for Lateral Movement – Password spraying is often used by Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) to infiltrate an organization.
Best Practices and Security Considerations:
Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Even if an attacker guesses the password, they still need another authentication factor.
Monitor Failed Login Attempts – Unusual login attempts from different locations or multiple accounts should trigger alerts.
Implement Strong Password Policies – Enforce complex passwords and prevent users from using common passwords.
Use Account Lockout Mechanisms – Introduce a threshold that locks out accounts after repeated failed attempts within a short timeframe.
Deploy Behavioral-Based Detection – Monitor for abnormal authentication patterns using Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools.