Ethical Hacking News
According to the latest report from Picus Security, compromised accounts have become the most underpreventable attack vector, with an alarming success rate of 46% in preventing password cracking attacks. Organizations must prioritize identity security and credential validation to prevent these types of attacks.
Compromised accounts are the most underpreventable attack vector with a 46% success rate in preventing password cracking attacks.Weak passwords, outdated credential storage methods, and lack of salting techniques or multi-factor authentication (MFA) contribute to this threat.Valid accounts (MITRE ATT&CK T1078) are the most exploited attack technique with a 98% success rate.Organizations must implement stronger password policies, eliminate outdated hashing algorithms, and adopt MFA for sensitive accounts.Regularly validating credential defenses through simulated attacks is crucial to identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing behavioral detection capabilities.
The world of cybersecurity is often dominated by high-profile breaches and attacks that make headlines, but a quiet threat has been quietly gaining momentum in recent years. According to the latest report from Picus Security, titled "Weak Passwords and Compromised Accounts: Key Findings from the Blue Report 2025," compromised accounts have become the most underpreventable attack vector, with an alarming success rate of 46% in preventing password cracking attacks.
The report highlights that organizations continue to struggle with preventing password cracking attempts, despite widespread awareness of this threat vector. This is due in part to the continued use of weak passwords and outdated credential storage methods. Many organizations still rely on easily guessable passwords and weak hashing algorithms, often without using proper salting techniques or multi-factor authentication (MFA).
The impact of these weaknesses is far-reaching, with compromised accounts allowing attackers to move laterally through an organization's network, escalate privileges, and compromise critical systems. Infostealers and ransomware groups frequently rely on stolen credentials to spread across networks, burrowing deeper and deeper without triggering detection.
One of the most concerning findings in the Blue Report 2025 is that valid accounts (MITRE ATT&CK T1078) remain the most exploited attack technique, with a success rate of nearly 98%. This means that once attackers gain access to valid credentials, whether through password cracking or initial access brokers, they can swiftly move through an organization's network, often bypassing traditional defenses.
To strengthen their defenses against credential abuse and password cracking, organizations must implement stronger password policies and enforce complexity requirements. They should also eliminate outdated hashing algorithms in favor of more secure alternatives and adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all sensitive accounts.
Regularly validating credential defenses through simulated attacks is crucial to identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring that controls are performing as expected. Organizations also need to enhance their behavioral detection capabilities to catch anomalous activities tied to credential abuse and lateral movement.
The findings in the Blue Report 2025 show that, unfortunately, many organizations are still vulnerable to the silent threat of password cracking and compromised accounts. This is a wake-up call for organizations to prioritize identity security and credential validation, and to take proactive steps to harden their security posture, reduce their exposure, and prioritize critical vulnerabilities.
At Picus Security, we understand the importance of securing sensitive information and preventing attacks such as password cracking and compromised accounts. Our team of experts can help you identify vulnerabilities and develop effective strategies to mitigate these threats. Don't forget to get your copy of The Blue Report 2025 and take proactive steps today to improve your security posture.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Silent-Threat-of-Compromised-Accounts-Uncovering-the-Alarming-Rise-of-Password-Cracking-Attacks-ehn.shtml
https://thehackernews.com/2025/08/weak-passwords-and-compromised-accounts.html
Published: Thu Aug 21 06:41:42 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
