| name | T1552.004_private-keys |
| description | Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials. |
| category | authentication |
| version | 18.1 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1552.004","credential-access","linux","macos","network-devices","windows","sub-technique"] |
| technique_id | T1552.004 |
| tactic | credential-access |
| all_tactics | ["credential-access"] |
| platforms | ["Linux","macOS","Network Devices","Windows"] |
| mitre_url | https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1552/004 |
| tech_stack | ["linux","macos","network devices","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-522"] |
| chains_with | ["T1552","T1552.001","T1552.002","T1552.003","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","T1552.002":"Chain with T1552.002 for deeper attack path"} |
T1552.004 Private Keys
Sub-technique of: T1552
High-Level Description
Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials. Private cryptographic keys and certificates are used for authentication, encryption/decryption, and digital signatures. Common key and certificate file extensions include: .key, .pgp, .gpg, .ppk., .p12, .pem, .pfx, .cer, .p7b, .asc.
Adversaries may also look in common key directories, such as ~/.ssh for SSH keys on * nix-based systems or C:\Users\(username)\.ssh\ on Windows. Adversary tools may also search compromised systems for file extensions relating to cryptographic keys and certificates.
When a device is registered to Entra ID, a device key and a transport key are generated and used to verify the device’s identity. An adversary with access to the device may be able to export the keys in order to impersonate the device.
On network devices, private keys may be exported via Network Device CLI commands such as crypto pki export.
Some private keys require a password or passphrase for operation, so an adversary may also use Input Capture for keylogging or attempt to Brute Force the passphrase off-line. These private keys can be used to authenticate to Remote Services like SSH or for use in decrypting other collected files such as email.
Kill Chain Phase
- Credential Access (TA0006)
Platforms: Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Windows
What to Check
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: Private Keys
Find private keys on the Windows file system.
File extensions include: .key, .pgp, .gpg, .ppk., .p12, .pem, pfx, .cer, .p7b, .asc
