Credential stuffing is the automated injection of stolen username and password pairs (“credentials”) into website login forms to fraudulently gain access to user accounts.
It exploits password reuse patterns, posing a widespread threat by leveraging stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access to multiple online accounts, leading to data breaches, HIPAA violations, and compromised user and patient privacy.
According to the 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), external actors were responsible for 83% of breaches, and out of those incidents, stolen credentials were used in 49%.
Credential stuffing involves exploiting stolen or leaked login information from one digital platform to gain unauthorized access to accounts on another service where individuals have reused their identical credentials.
The attack process involves the following steps:
Once inside, cybercriminals may exploit the compromised account for various malicious purposes, such as unauthorized financial transactions, patient data theft, or other fraudulent activities.
Credential stuffing attacks often leverage stolen or leaked login credentials obtained from various sources. Here are some common sources that cybercriminals use to gather the data needed for credential stuffing:
Data breaches involving major websites, services, or organizations can expose millions of usernames and passwords. Cybercriminals often target databases from these breaches to compile lists of login credentials.
Phishing attacks involve tricking individuals into revealing their login credentials by posing as a trustworthy entity. Once obtained, these credentials can be used in credential stuffing attacks.
Cybercriminals may sell or trade stolen login credentials on dark web marketplaces, providing a convenient source for attackers to acquire large datasets.
Malicious software, including keyloggers, can capture keystrokes on infected devices. Cybercriminals use these tools to collect usernames and passwords entered by users, contributing to their arsenal for credential stuffing.
Related: How to identify and prevent malware in healthcare
Some attackers create and distribute phishing kits, which are sets of tools and resources designed to facilitate phishing attacks. These kits often include pre-built phishing websites that capture login credentials when users unwittingly enter them.
In some cases, individuals may willingly share their login credentials with others, knowingly or unknowingly contributing to the pool of data used in credential stuffing attacks.
Attackers may use techniques to identify valid usernames on a target platform. Once a list of valid usernames is compiled, they can proceed with credential stuffing attacks to find matching passwords.
Brute force attacks involve systematically trying every possible combination of usernames and passwords until the correct combination is found. While not specific to credential stuffing, attackers may use the results from brute force attacks to build lists for credential stuffing attempts.
See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
Credential stuffing attacks can take various forms, depending on the specific techniques and tools employed by cybercriminals. While the core method involves using stolen or leaked credentials to gain unauthorized access, there are different types of credential stuffing attacks based on the specific focus or approach. Here are some common types:
In mass credential stuffing, attackers use automated tools to launch large-scale credential stuffing attacks against multiple online platforms simultaneously. The goal is to exploit the widespread practice of password reuse across different services.
In targeted credential stuffing, attackers focus on specific individuals or organizations. They may gather information about the target, such as email addresses and usernames, and then use stolen credentials to attempt unauthorized access to targeted accounts.
Some cybercriminals offer credential stuffing as a service on the dark web. They provide tools, resources, and access to compromised credentials for other criminals to launch their own attacks.
Password spraying is a technique where attackers use a small set of commonly used passwords across a large number of accounts. Instead of trying numerous username and password combinations for a single account, attackers try a few passwords against many accounts, hoping to find instances where users have weak or commonly used passwords.
In reverse credential stuffing, attackers start with a known set of compromised credentials and attempt to identify the services or platforms where users have reused the same credentials. This method involves the reconnaissance and profiling of users to determine potential targets.
Some advanced credential stuffing attacks involve methods to bypass CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) challenges, which are designed to distinguish between human and automated access. Attackers use tools or techniques to automate the solving of CAPTCHAs during the login process.
To evade detection and IP blocking, attackers may employ proxy networks to distribute their login attempts across multiple IP addresses. This helps them avoid being identified and blocked by security mechanisms that track login attempts from a single IP address.
Instead of focusing solely on username and password combinations, attackers may also abuse stolen session tokens. Session tokens are typically used to maintain a user's login state. If attackers can obtain and abuse valid session tokens, they can gain access without needing the actual username and password.
Defending against credential stuffing requires a multi-faceted approach that combines user awareness, strong authentication practices, and robust security measures. Here are several strategies for defending against credential stuffing attacks:
See also:
Multi-factor authentication is a security process that requires users to provide two or more forms of identification before granting access to an account. This typically involves something the user knows (password) and something they have (such as a temporary code sent to a mobile device).
Go deeper: Enhancing HIPAA compliance with multi-factor authentication
Password reuse is a risk because if a user's credentials are compromised on one platform, attackers can use the same credentials to gain unauthorized access to the user's accounts on other platforms where the same password is used.
CAPTCHAs (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) are used to distinguish between automated bots and human users during the login process. They can help prevent or deter automated credential stuffing attacks by requiring users to solve challenges that are difficult for automated scripts to pass.
Users should update their passwords regularly, aiming for a schedule that fits their security needs. Best practices often recommend changing passwords every three to six months. Regular updates help mitigate the impact of compromised credentials and enhance overall account security.