As a security expert, it’s easy to get caught up in a race to counter the latest advanced enemy techniques. But the most influential attacks Often, not from cutting-edge exploits, but from cracked credentials or compromised accounts. Despite extensive awareness of this threat vector, Picas security Blue Report 2025 It shows that the organization continues to struggle Prevent password cracking attacks and Detect malicious use of compromised accounts.
The first half of 2025 is behind us, A breached valid account still remains the most inadequate attack vectoremphasises the urgent need for a The aggressive approach focused on threats that circumvented organizational defenses.
Wake-up Call: Amazing Increase in Password Cracking Success
Peak Blue Report An annual research publication that analyzes how well an organization detects and detects real-world cyber threats. Unlike traditional reports that focus solely on threat trends and survey data, the blue reports are based on Empirical findings from over 160 million attack simulations It is implemented within networks of organizations around the world PICUS Security Verification Platform.
in Blue Report 2025Picus Labs found it Password cracking attempts were successful in 46% of tested environmentssince last year, we have almost doubled our success rate. This rapid rise highlights the underlying weaknesses of the way organizations manage or mismanage password policies. Weak password and Old hash algorithm Use attackers to keep them on vulnerable critical systems Brute Force or Rainbow Table Attack Crack your password and get unauthorized access.
Considering that password cracking is one of them The oldest and most reliable and effective attack method,This finding points to a serious problem. Many organizations have failed to enforce strong basic password hygiene policies while failing to adopt and integrate modern authentication practices into their defenses.
Why organizations can’t prevent password cracking attacks
So why can’t organizations still prevent password cracking attacks? The root cause is Continuous use of weak passwords and Obsolete Credential Storage Methods. Many organizations still rely on easily guessable passwords and weak hashing algorithms, without using proper salting techniques or multi-factor authentication (MFA).
In fact, our findings showed that 46% of the environment At least one password hash was cracked and converted to ClearText, particularly highlighting the insufficient number of password policies. Internal accountsthe control is more looser than the external counterpart.
To counter this, organizations must do Enforce stronger password policies, Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for all usersand Periodically verify qualification defenses. Without these improvements, attackers will continue to compromise on valid accounts and have easy access to critical systems.
Qualification-based attacks: Quiet but devastating threats
The threat of Abuse of qualifications Both are broad and dangerous, but still Blue Report 2025 Highlights, organization is still Not ready For this type of attack. And once the attacker gets valid credentials, you can Easy to move horizontally, Escalate privilegesand Compromising critical systems.
Infostealers and Ransomware Group Frequently rely on stolen credentials It spreads throughout the networkOften dig deeper holes Without triggering detection. this Stealth Movement Inside the network, attackers are allowed Maintains long residence timesnot detected Freely remove data.
Despite this continuous and well-known problem, organizations continue to prioritize boundary defense and often leave Identity and Qualification Protection As a result, they were overlooked and lacked funds. This year’s Blue Report clearly shows that Valid account abuse At the heart of modern cyberattacks, strengthening the urgent need for a stronger focus Identity Security and Qualification verification.
Valid Accounts (T1078): Most misused path to compromise
One of the key findings from Blue Report 2025 is Valid accounts (MITRET & CK T1078) It’s still Most exploited attack techniquesI’m really worried 98% success rate. This means that the attacker has now access to valid credentials. Password cracking or Initial Access Brokerthey can move the organization’s network quickly, and often bypass traditional defenses.
Using Compromised Credentials It is especially effective as it allows attackers Operate under the radarmaking it difficult for security teams to detect malicious activity. Once inside they can Access sensitive data, Deploy malwareor Create a new attack pathblends seamlessly with legitimate user activity throughout.
How to Strengthen Protection Against Eligibility Abuse and Password Cracking
Organizations should protect against increasingly effective attacks Implement a stronger password policy and implementing Complexity requirementsin favour of safer alternatives and eliminate outdated hash algorithms. That’s also essential Adopts multi-factor authentication (MFA) For all confidential accounts, even if your credentials are compromised, the attacker doesn’t just use them to access the network without any additional verification steps.
We will verify it regularly Qualified defense Through Simulated attacks It is important to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that controls are running as expected. Organizations need to do that too Improved behavior detection function Catch Abnormal activity It is linked to qualification abuse and lateral movement.
Furthermore, monitoring and inspection Outbound traffic For signs of Data removal And I guarantee that Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Measurement Both are located and are operated effectively to protect sensitive information.
Close the gap between credentials and password management
The findings from Blue Report 2025 show that unfortunately many organizations are still vulnerable to quiet threats. Password cracking and Compromised accounts. And while strengthening perimeter defense remains a priority, it is clear too The weaknesses of the core lie in qualification management and internal controls.. The report also highlighted that fact. Infostealers and Ransomware Group We are making effective use of these gaps.
If you are ready to take proactive measures Strengthen your security attitude, Reduces exposureand Prioritize critical vulnerabilities, Blue Report 2025 It provides irreplaceable insights and shows where to focus. And Pico Securitywe always discuss helping your organization meet specific security needs.
Don’t forget to get a copy of Blue Report 2025 And take proactive steps today to improve your security attitude.
