t1550-use-alternate-authentication-material

name	T1550_use-alternate-authentication-material
description	Adversaries may use alternate authentication material, such as password hashes, Kerberos tickets, and application access tokens, in order to move laterally within an environment and bypass normal s...
category	configuration
version	18.1
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["mitre-attack","enterprise","t1550","defense-evasion","lateral-movement","windows","saas","iaas","containers","identity-provider","office-suite","linux"]
technique_id	T1550
tactic	defense-evasion
all_tactics	["defense-evasion","lateral-movement"]
platforms	["Windows","SaaS","IaaS","Containers","Identity Provider","Office Suite","Linux"]
mitre_url	https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1550
tech_stack	["windows","saas","cloud","containers","identity","office","linux"]
cwe_ids	["CWE-693"]
chains_with	["T1550.001","T1550.002","T1550.003","T1550.004"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{"T1550.001":"Chain with T1550.001 for deeper attack path","T1550.002":"Chain with T1550.002 for deeper attack path","T1550.003":"Chain with T1550.003 for deeper attack path"}

T1550 Use Alternate Authentication Material

High-Level Description

Adversaries may use alternate authentication material, such as password hashes, Kerberos tickets, and application access tokens, in order to move laterally within an environment and bypass normal system access controls.

Authentication processes generally require a valid identity (e.g., username) along with one or more authentication factors (e.g., password, pin, physical smart card, token generator, etc.). Alternate authentication material is legitimately generated by systems after a user or application successfully authenticates by providing a valid identity and the required authentication factor(s). Alternate authentication material may also be generated during the identity creation process.

Caching alternate authentication material allows the system to verify an identity has successfully authenticated without asking the user to reenter authentication factor(s). Because the alternate authentication must be maintained by the system—either in memory or on disk—it may be at risk of being stolen through Credential Access techniques. By stealing alternate authentication material, adversaries are able to bypass system access controls and authenticate to systems without knowing the plaintext password or any additional authentication factors.

Kill Chain Phase

• Defense Evasion (TA0005)
• Lateral Movement (TA0008)

Platforms: Windows, SaaS, IaaS, Containers, Identity Provider, Office Suite, Linux

What to Check

• Identify if Use Alternate Authentication Material technique is applicable to target environment
• Check Windows systems for indicators of Use Alternate Authentication Material
• Check SaaS systems for indicators of Use Alternate Authentication Material
• Check IaaS systems for indicators of Use Alternate Authentication Material
• Verify mitigations are bypassed or absent (7 known mitigations)
• Assess detection coverage (1 detection strategies)

How to Test

Manual Testing

1. Identify Attack Surface: Determine if the target environment is susceptible to Use Alternate Authentication Material by examining the target platforms (Windows, SaaS, IaaS).

2. Assess Existing Defenses: Review whether mitigations for T1550 are in place. If defenses are absent or misconfigured, this technique may be exploitable.