t1552-002-credentials-in-registry

name	T1552.002_credentials-in-registry
description	Adversaries may search the Registry on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials.
category	authentication
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1552.002","credential-access","windows","sub-technique"]
technique_id	T1552.002
tactic	credential-access
all_tactics	["credential-access"]
platforms	["Windows"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1552/002
tech_stack	["windows"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-522"]
chains_with	["T1552","T1552.001","T1552.003","T1552.004","T1552.005","T1552.006","T1552.007","T1552.008"]
prerequisites	["T1552"]
severity_boost	{"T1552":"Chain with T1552 for deeper attack path","T1552.001":"Chain with T1552.001 for deeper attack path","T1552.003":"Chain with T1552.003 for deeper attack path"}

T1552.002 Credentials in Registry

Sub-technique of: T1552

High-Level Description

Adversaries may search the Registry on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials. The Windows Registry stores configuration information that can be used by the system or other programs. Adversaries may query the Registry looking for credentials and passwords that have been stored for use by other programs or services. Sometimes these credentials are used for automatic logons.

Example commands to find Registry keys related to password information:

• Local Machine Hive: reg query HKLM /f password /t REG_SZ /s
• Current User Hive: reg query HKCU /f password /t REG_SZ /s

Kill Chain Phase

• Credential Access (TA0006)

Platforms: Windows

What to Check

• Identify if Credentials in Registry technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Credentials in Registry
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (3 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Atomic Red Team Tests

The following tests are from Atomic Red Team and provide actionable ways to test this technique:

Atomic Test 1: Enumeration for Credentials in Registry

Queries to enumerate for credentials in the Registry. Upon execution, any registry key containing the word "password" will be displayed.

Supported Platforms: windows

reg query HKLM /f password /t REG_SZ /s
reg query HKCU /f password /t REG_SZ /s

Atomic Test 2: Enumeration for PuTTY Credentials in Registry

Queries to enumerate for PuTTY credentials in the Registry. PuTTY must be installed for this test to work. If any registry entries are found, they will be displayed.

Supported Platforms: windows

reg query HKCU\Software\SimonTatham\PuTTY\Sessions /t REG_SZ /s

Manual Testing

If Atomic Red Team tests are not applicable, manually verify the technique by: