A Simple Guide to Detect Password Spraying

Passwords are a fundamental method for accessing systems, services, and applications. Typically used alongside usernames, they help verify user identities and provide entry to target systems. Although many recognize the importance of creating strong passwords and regularly updating them, best practices on how to detect password spraying are often overlooked until a security breach occurs. 

Common mistakes that lead to password attacks include the use of weak passwords, password reuse, and the absence of robust security policies. Using the same password across multiple platforms increases the risk of password spraying attacks.

We will explore password spraying attacks, detail the attack process, compare it with credential stuffing and brute force attacks, and offer strategies to enhance your password security.

In 2018, a group of Iranian hackers compromised six terabytes of sensitive information from Citrix by utilizing password spraying attacks. They employed commonly used passwords across various devices, successfully accessing systems and potentially deploying ransomware.

A password spraying attack involves attackers attempting to gain access to a target device or system by utilizing a set of frequently used passwords. Essentially, an attacker takes a common password, such as "pass@123," and tries it across numerous devices, systems, and applications.

If the initial attempts fail, the attacker selects a different password and continues the process until they successfully access the target system.

Some commonly exploited passwords include "password1," "a1b2c3," "qwerty," "1q2w3e4r," and "1qaz2wsx." Lists of such passwords can easily be found online.

The process of a password spraying attack typically involves four steps.

1. Target Identification: The attacker selects a potential target, which could be an individual user or an organization. This choice is influenced by various factors, including motivations, opportunities, reputation, and potential profit.

2. Password Collection: After identifying a target, the attacker gathers a list of passwords from the internet. These lists may include commonly used passwords, dictionary words, or previously compromised passwords.

3. User Enumeration: In this step, the attacker performs user enumeration, which is part of the initial phase of the cyber kill chain. They attempt to find valid usernames that may facilitate further access.

4. Execution of the Attack: The attacker then carries out the password spraying attack, trying to log in to different systems, services, and applications using a single username with multiple passwords, or vice versa. During this process, attackers intentionally introduce delays to avoid account lockouts and detection by Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). They monitor their attempts to assess whether they are successful.

If the attackers gain access, they may engage in malicious activities such as installing malware, stealing data, deploying spyware, or encrypting files.

Firstly, it’s vital to ensure that end-users are well-informed about the significance of a strong password policy. This can be achieved through continuous cybersecurity training.

A cybersecurity awareness learning platform that offers training and engages users with various security simulations, including phishing attacks via email, SMS, QR codes, social engineering, supply chain attacks, and more is a must. These are common tactics used by attackers to steal credentials and gain system access. A gamified approach to security awareness works best.

Additionally, monitoring and logging are proactive measures for detecting password spraying attacks. They can help identify failed login attempts and alert IT administrators. For example, if there are five unsuccessful login attempts, the password policy can lock the user account, triggering an alarm for the IT team.

Creating a user behavior baseline can provide insights into login times, locations, IP addresses, and patterns. Any anomalies, such as numerous login attempts from a single IP address, could prompt a CAPTCHA challenge.

If unusual activity is detected within your organization, your Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system should identify it.

Implementing Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Web Application Firewalls (WAF) can also help detect and prevent malicious traffic from entering your network.

Several strategies can assist both individuals and businesses in preventing password spraying attacks. Primarily, IT administrators should enforce various password security policies within the organization, which may include the following:

• Password Length: Establish a minimum character requirement for passwords. For instance, Microsoft recommends a strong password be at least 12 characters long, with 14 or more preferred.

• Password Complexity: Require passwords to contain a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Longer, more complex passwords are harder to crack.

• Password History: Prevent users from reusing old passwords, as these may have been exposed on malicious sites.

• Password Aging: Require users to change passwords regularly, such as every six months.

• Account Lockout Policy: Temporarily lock accounts after a specified number of unsuccessful login attempts.

In addition to strong passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another security layer. MFA may involve a PIN, biometric authentication, or a physical device.

Another advanced protection method is the implementation of password-less authentication, including FIDO (Fast Identity Online) keys and biometric solutions like Windows Hello for Business.

For businesses with services exposed to the internet, implementing CAPTCHAs can help differentiate between human users and automated bots, preventing brute force attempts at guessing passwords.

Many organizations utilize Single Sign-On (SSO) for various systems, making them prime targets for password spraying attacks. If an attacker gains access to the password of any service, they can execute a password spraying attack on other related systems. This can severely impact the organization, compromising data integrity and damaging its reputation.

Password spraying attacks can lead to numerous negative consequences for companies, including data breaches, loss of intellectual property, financial repercussions, reputational harm, operational disruptions, and potential legal issues.

Password spraying and credential stuffing remains a pervasive threat that can compromise user accounts across various platforms, such as Okta and Microsoft 365. As attackers continually adapt their strategies, it’s essential for organizations to prioritize strong password hygiene and implement robust security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and awareness training.

Don’t forget to implement password policies that are crucial for ensuring password security.