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Credential Dump

Credential Dump is a category within the threat exposure management framework that addresses the risks associated with username and password dumps from both public and privately offered leaks. These dumps can include credentials from large-scale public breaches, such as those affecting LinkedIn, Home Depot, or Ashley Madison, as well as credentials offered for sale or shared in underground forums, potentially impacting a known supplier or the organization being monitored.

Characteristics of Credential Dumps​

  • Public Breaches: These include credentials leaked from high-profile public breaches of well-known platforms, where large databases of usernames (often email addresses) and passwords are exposed to the public. Examples include breaches from major companies like LinkedIn or Ashley Madison.
  • Private or Dark Web Leaks: Credentials can also be offered for sale on dark web forums or underground marketplaces. These leaks may involve specific systems or platforms used by the organization, a supplier, or a partner, and are often more targeted in nature.
  • Username and Password Combination: Credential dumps typically contain username and password pairs. Usernames are often email addresses, which may indicate the organization's domain, providing attackers with insight into the organization’s user base.

Common Methods of Discovery​

Credential dumps are typically discovered through:

  • Dark Web Monitoring: Monitoring dark web forums, underground marketplaces, and private leaks for credential dumps that mention the organization's domain or known suppliers can help identify compromised accounts.
  • Threat Intelligence Feeds: Threat intelligence services may provide alerts about newly leaked credentials, particularly those involving high-profile public breaches or data dumps offered for sale.
  • Credential Monitoring Tools: Tools that track publicly available breaches and cross-reference leaked usernames against the organization's user base can help identify exposed credentials that require action.

Risks and Impact​

The risks associated with credential dumps include:

  • Password Spraying and Credential Stuffing: The primary concern with credential dumps is the risk of password spraying and credential stuffing attacks. Attackers may use the exposed credentials to attempt unauthorized logins across multiple systems, potentially gaining access to sensitive information.
  • Exposure of System Information: The inclusion of usernames and passwords in credential dumps can also divulge information about the systems and services that a user, or by extension the organization, uses. This information can be used to craft targeted attacks against specific platforms.
  • Third-Party Risk: Credential dumps that involve known suppliers or partners can pose a risk to the organization by providing attackers with access to connected systems or shared platforms, creating a potential supply chain vulnerability.
  • Reputational Damage: If credentials from the organization are leaked in a public breach, it can lead to reputational damage, particularly if customers or stakeholders are impacted or if attackers gain access to critical systems.

Key Considerations for Threat Exposure Management​

Managing the risk associated with credential dumps requires proactive monitoring, strong password policies, and user awareness:

  • Dark Web and Credential Monitoring: Continuously monitor dark web forums, underground marketplaces, and public breach data for leaked credentials involving the organization's domain. Set up alerts to notify the security team when credentials are identified.
  • Password Management and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement strong password policies, including requiring complex passwords and regular password changes. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all critical systems to reduce the impact of exposed credentials.
  • Credential Stuffing Prevention: Implement rate limiting, IP blocking, and other protections to prevent credential stuffing and password spraying attacks. Monitor login attempts for signs of suspicious activity that may indicate an ongoing attack.
  • User Awareness and Training: Educate employees on the risks of credential reuse and the importance of using strong, unique passwords for corporate accounts. Provide training on recognizing phishing attempts that may target credentials.
  • Third-Party Risk Management: Assess the security posture of suppliers and partners, particularly in relation to credential management. Ensure that third-party systems connected to the organization's infrastructure have adequate security controls in place.
  • Incident Response Planning: Develop an incident response plan to address credential dumps, including identifying exposed accounts, requiring password resets, and communicating with affected users. Ensure that compromised credentials are disabled as soon as they are identified.

Credential dumps represent a significant risk to the organization’s security, particularly due to the potential for password reuse and subsequent attacks. Effective threat exposure management requires proactive monitoring, strong access controls, and continuous user education to minimize the impact of exposed credentials and protect the organization's assets.