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Detection Strategies DET0487 — Distributed Password Spraying via Authentication Failures Across Multiple Accounts
DET0487

Distributed Password Spraying via Authentication Failures Across Multiple Accounts

8 analytic(s) · 1 technique(s) detected

Analytics

8
AN1336 Analytic 1336
Windows

A high volume of authentication failures using a single password (or small set) across many different user accounts within a defined time window

WinEventLog:Security EventCode=4625, 4771, 4648
[PasswordReuseThreshold] Number of distinct accounts a password is used against before alerting
[TimeWindow] Window over which the correlation is measured (e.g., 10 mins)
[TargetGroupFilter] Limit detection to sensitive or monitored user groups (e.g., Admins)
AN1337 Analytic 1337
Linux

Authentication failures across different accounts using a repeated or similar password via SSH or PAM stack within a short window

linux:syslog Failed password for invalid user
[PasswordReusePattern] Repetition or minor variation of the same password across user attempts
[IPAggregationWindow] Length of time to observe distributed spray attempts from single source
AN1338 Analytic 1338
macOS

Multiple failed login attempts across different users using common password patterns (e.g., 'Welcome2023')

macos:unifiedlog Login Window and Authd errors
[RetryCountThreshold] Total number of attempts before alerting
[CommonPasswordList] List of passwords considered suspicious due to widespread use
AN1339 Analytic 1339
Identity Provider

Sign-in failures across enterprise SSO applications or SaaS platforms from same IP address using the same password against multiple user identities

azure:signinlogs Failure Reason + UserPrincipalName
[GeoIPAnomalyCheck] Use geolocation mismatches to strengthen signal
[FailedUserRatio] Proportion of total user base affected to filter noise
AN1340 Analytic 1340
Network Devices

Authentication failure logs on routers/switches showing repeated use of default or common passwords across multiple accounts

networkdevice:syslog AAA or TACACS authentication failures
[AuthFailureBurst] Cluster of failed attempts in short period indicating spray
[InterfaceFilter] Limit detection to console/SSH vs web UI interfaces
AN1341 Analytic 1341
Containers

Repeated failed authentication attempts to container APIs, control planes, or login shells across many user names using same password

kubernetes:audit Failed login
[OrchestrationScope] Detect spray attempts scoped to single pod vs full cluster
[ServiceAccountFilter] Limit detection to non-service accounts to reduce noise
AN1342 Analytic 1342
Office Suite

Failed authentication attempts across user mailboxes using identical or common passwords (e.g., OWA brute attempts)

m365:exchange FailedLogin
[MailboxAccessAttempts] Threshold on mailbox login failures by same IP
[EmailPatternAnalysis] Match target usernames to common spray dictionaries
AN1343 Analytic 1343
SaaS

SaaS applications receiving authentication failures for dozens of accounts using same password or login signature

saas:auth signin_failed
[CloudAppScope] Restrict detection to identity providers or select high-risk SaaS platforms
[UserPopulationSensitivity] Adjust based on size and role of account pool

Detected Techniques

1

Credential Access (1)

Details

MITRE ID
DET0487
STIX ID
x-mitre-detection-strategy--84dfca59-e541-48a8-bb95-d7581a8f48d2
Analytics
8
Techniques Detected
1
By Tactic
Credential Access
1
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