Table of contents
- Password spray: a growing threat to cyber security
- What is a password spraying attack
- Why are password spraying attacks so dangerous
- How to detect password spraying
- How to protect against password spraying
- Why common passwords are a problem
- Password spray and corporate security
Password spray is a widely used attack technique in the field of cyber security, often underestimated compared to other strategies like brute force attacks.
This attack aims to compromise a large number of user accounts using the most common password combinations across a wide group of accounts.
Password spray: a growing threat to cyber security
Unlike traditional brute force attacks, which try every possible password combination for a single account, password spraying uses a less direct approach: it attempts a single password on multiple accounts, increasing the chances of success without triggering security alerts like account locks or warnings.
This type of attack represents a significant threat to companies, whose Single Sign-On (SSO) accounts or systems that use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) may be vulnerable due to weak or commonly used passwords.
What is a password spraying attack?
A password spraying attack exploits one of the fundamental weaknesses of cyber security: the repeated use of simple passwords. Hackers try to access many accounts with one or a few common password variants, such as “123456,” “password,” or “welcome1.”
This method is favored because it avoids triggering security systems, which usually block repeated failed access attempts for the same account.
In contrast, password spraying distributes the attempts across multiple user accounts, reducing the frequency of attempts per account while increasing the number of targets.
This method can be surprisingly effective, especially in corporate or institutional settings where many users maintain similar passwords.
Why are password spraying attacks so dangerous
The password spraying attack poses a significant danger in a corporate context, where an attacker can gain access to sensitive data and information.
When a compromised account is used, hackers can expand their actions in various ways, from collecting personal data to moving laterally within the network to find critical information.
Additionally, by exploiting an already active account, they can bypass detection systems or automated locks.
This is particularly problematic in systems using Single Sign-On (SSO), where a single compromised account allows access to many other corporate applications with one authentication.
How to detect password spraying
Detecting a password spraying attack can be complex, as its pattern is specifically designed to evade traditional detection methods. However, some signs can be indicative:
- Unauthorized access
Repeated access attempts on multiple user accounts with common passwords can be detected if monitoring the total number of failed attempts across multiple accounts rather than just one.
- User behavior analysis
Password spraying attacks often come from unknown IP addresses or sessions that do not match normal user behavior, such as unusual access times or attempts from unexpected geographic regions.
- MFA and advanced authentication
Using MFA or other authentication methods can provide an extra layer of security. Although it does not guarantee complete protection, MFA requires a second level of confirmation, limiting the possibility that a compromised account can be successfully used by the attacker.
How to protect against password spraying
To protect against a password spray attack, it is essential to take preventive measures and improve password management policies. Here are some strategies:
- Security education
Users need to be aware of the risks of using weak passwords and the importance of creating complex and unique passwords. This practice significantly reduces the likelihood that a common password will be used and thus targeted in an attack.
- Implementing MFA
Requiring a second authentication method (such as a code sent to a mobile device) can help block an attack even if the first level of authentication is compromised.
- Access monitoring and alerts
Access attempts should be monitored to identify suspicious activity, such as repeated access attempts from unknown sources. Organizations can configure security alerts to flag these unusual events.
- IP blocking
Blocking IP addresses showing suspicious activity can reduce the risk of an ongoing attack. Blocking can be temporary to discourage further attempts or permanent if the activity is recognized as an active threat.
Why common passwords are a problem
Many password spray attacks succeed because users tend to use weak or common passwords. Even in corporate settings, users often use passwords that are easy to remember or are reused across multiple accounts.
Attackers, with access to lists of the most common passwords, can test these variants on a large scale to gain access to a user account (username and password) or compromise security without needing to try complex combinations.
Although requiring regular password changes is a fundamental security measure, it must be balanced to avoid users falling back on using obvious passwords.
Password spray and corporate security
For companies, preventing password spraying attacks must be part of a comprehensive cyber security policy.
It is essential not only to implement authentication methods like MFA but also to activate proactive monitoring and train users on awareness of cyber security risks.
Using security tools to analyze login patterns, promoting the use of complex passwords, and using multi-factor authentication are crucial steps to maintaining the security of corporate resources and preventing spray attacks.
Questions and answers
- What is a password spray attack?
A password spray attack attempts to access multiple accounts using common passwords, avoiding a lock on a single account. - What are the dangers of a password spray attack?
It can compromise sensitive data and allow attackers to move laterally within the corporate network. - How can I protect myself from a password spray attack?
Use MFA, monitor access attempts, and avoid weak or common passwords. - How to detect a password spray?
By observing multiple access attempts across different accounts with repeated passwords. - Why is password spraying widespread?
Because it exploits common passwords and often evades automatic security checks. - What makes companies vulnerable to password spraying attacks?
Use of simple passwords, lack of MFA, and unmonitored SSO access. - What is the difference between password spray and brute force attack?
Password spray targets multiple accounts with a single password, avoiding locks. - Does password spraying still work against MFA?
Partially, but MFA reduces the risk of complete compromise. - Can I detect password spray attempts in my system?
Yes, by monitoring access attempts from unknown IPs or suspicious access behavior. - Which passwords are most vulnerable to password spray?
Weak and common passwords like “123456”, “password”, or “welcome1” are the most targeted.
