As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, posing a risk to businesses and individuals alike, IT managers and small business owners must focus on building a stronger security posture.
Credential harvesting, the frontline of cyber-threats, first appeared on the scene in the early to mid-90s and has been plaguing organizations since, causing widespread challenges resulting in financial and reputational destruction.
But what exactly is credential harvesting?
Using phishing attacks, spoofed websites, or keylogging malware, threat actors steal user credentials to gain unauthorized access. Since this is the first step in infiltrating an organization, it is a critical aspect of cybercrime, requiring careful attention.
This article will explain the impact of credential harvesting, give strategies for prevention and mitigation, and provide a particular focus on cloud environments and the role of secure credential management.
Understanding Credential Harvesting
Definition and explanation of credential harvesting
Credential harvesting is a technique cybercriminals use in which attackers collect or “harvest” login credentials – usernames and passwords – from their victims.
This malicious activity aims to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, systems, and accounts.
Not to be confused with another common cyberattack called credential stuffing, credential harvesting focuses on obtaining valid credentials. In contrast, credential stuffing involves using previously stolen credentials to attempt access to multiple accounts across different platforms.
Common techniques used in credential harvesting
Threat actors use a variety of techniques to harvest credentials.
One such example is phishing, in which attackers send deceptive messages via email that mimic legitimate sources. This can trick users into providing login information in different ways, including by downloading malware designed to capture credentials. Phishing has many different sub-types, including the use of texts or voicemails to accomplish this same goal.
Another common method is social engineering– using psychological tactics, attackers can manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information. Additionally, several types of malware may be used, including keyloggers, to collect logins.
Man-in-the-middle attacks may also be used by criminals to intercept communications and capture login information. Fake Wi-Fi networks can also be set up to capture data from users who inadvertently use them.
Examples of credential harvesting attacks
In recent memory, there have been several examples of credential harvesting attacks. The 2023 MOVEit Transfer zero-day vulnerability exploit affected numerous organizations and led to widespread data breaches.
The 2022 Uber breach was also significant, in which an attacker succeeded in breaching internal systems using an employee’s credentials obtained using social engineering tactics.
The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, that began with compromised VPN credentials, caused quite a stir in 2021.
These are just a few of the many attacks in recent years.
Impacts of Credential Harvesting
The consequences of credential harvesting
Credential harvesting can have severe consequences for individuals and organizations.
The attack gives unauthorized people access to sensitive information, facilitating identity theft, financial fraud, or even corporate espionage. Credential harvesting can also lead to reputational damage, as well as regulatory compliance violations.
Financial and reputational damage caused by credential harvesting attacks
A major concern with credential harvesting attacks is the substantial impact due to financial and reputational damage. According to IBM’s annual Cost of a Data Breach report the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024, showing a 10% increase over the last year.
Reputational damage can lead to loss of customer trust, decreased market share, and long-term revenue impacts. Additionally, reputational damage can affect relationships and impact families.
Real-life case studies showing the impact
In 2020, the SolarWinds Supply Chain attack compromised SolarWinds’ system, which affected numerous high-profile clients and caused widespread security concerns. The attack started with a virus tasked with harvesting credentials.
In the 2020 Twitter Bitcoin Scam, Hackers used social engineering to attack Twitter employees, gaining access to high-profile Twitter accounts, including national leaders, celebrities, and big brand executives. This led to a cryptocurrency scam and significant reputational damage.
A series of breaches that went on for years during the Marriott International Data Breach (2018 - 2020) exposed the personal information of up to 500 million guests. Hackers used a credential harvesting tool to gain access to the network and then escalated privileges to access the database. This resulted in some substantial financial penalties and a loss of customer trust. Ultimately, these types of attacks are at the heart of many of the major cybercrimes we read about in the news daily, making it critical to recognize, understand, detect, and recover from them quickly.
Credential Harvesting in Cloud Infrastructure
Understanding how credential harvesting is used in cloud environments
Cloud environments present unique challenges for credential security. Cloud service provider credentials are often targeted by threat actors to gain access to data and resources.
This is often done by targeting API keys, access tokens, SSH keys, and cloud console login credentials.
Security risks associated with credential harvesting in the cloud
In a cloud environment, security risks can be higher.
Compromised credentials in shared cloud environments have the potential to affect multiple organizations, creating multi-tenancy risks. The scalability of attacks is a concern, as cloud resources enable threat actors to scale their operations quickly.
It is also difficult to detect security issues in a cloud environment: its distributed nature can make it challenging to detect, identify, and then respond to credential harvesting attempts.
Mitigation strategies for protecting cloud credentials
To mitigate potential issues and protect cloud credentials, start by implementing access principles like least privilege. Give access to the bare minimum required for each person to do their job. Anything further than that only serves to increase the attack surface.
Use strong, unique passwords for each cloud service. Enable multi-factor authentication for all cloud accounts. Regularly rotate and audit cloud credentials and utilize cloud-native security tools and monitoring solutions.
Preventing Credential Harvesting
Best practices for protecting against credential harvesting
There are some best practices to protect against credential harvesting. To start, implement robust password policies across your entire system.
Make sure to use multi-factor authentication wherever possible. It is critical to do any updates and patches as soon as they become available. Implement regular monitoring for suspicious activities and login attempts. Finding them early is the next best thing to preventing them in the first place. Also, make sure to implement network segmentation to limit the spread of a potential breach if one should occur.
Implementing strong authentication and access controls
There are ways to strengthen access controls.
If biometric authentication is available and appropriate, use it, and add single sign-on solutions (SSO) wherever available. Spend some time determining risk and use risk-based authentication based on context. Make a plan to regularly review and update access controls.
Educating users about phishing and social engineering
Most companies already have at least baseline security training, providing overviews of company policy. Establishing an accessible means of reporting both suspected phishing attempts and user concerns can help employees get involved in the reporting process. Conducting regular security awareness trainings and workshops with up-to-date information is a great way to get everybody on board. One can also simulate phishing attacks at times to improve user vigilance and to test users’ awareness and response. Of course, it’s also important to communicate regularly regarding emerging threats and best practices. Security is a culture, and education is the foundation of any culture.
The Importance of Secure Credential Management
Why organizations need to prioritize secure credential management
In a world where access is everything and where sharing occurs at the speed of a click, pay special attention to secure credential management.
Doing so ensures sensitive systems and data are protected by preventing unauthorized access.
Secure credential management also ensures an organization is maintaining regulatory compliance, and accurately protects intellectual property and trade secrets.
Prioritization also preserves customer trust and brand reputation, reducing the risk of financial loss due to cyber-attacks.
Implementing password managers for enhanced security
Password managers allow for the generation and storage of strong, unique passwords for every account. When used correctly, password managers reduce the risk of password reuse across multiple services. They provide secure sharing capabilities, enhancing communication between team members without increasing risk.
Most password managers also offer additional features, like password strength analysis and breach monitoring. While password managers vary, they all have the same objective: to secure access.
Best practices for password hygiene and multi-factor authentication
Great password hygiene starts with a complex password.
Ensure the password is long– at least 12 characters– and contains a combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use personal information in the passwords you create, and if possible, don’t use strings of logical combinations such as common phrases or sayings.
If an account supports MFA, enable it. Authenticator apps or hardware security keys may be a better option than SMS-based MFA. Update your passwords after every security incident, including potential incidents, and also on a regular schedule.
How LastPass can Protect against Credential Harvesting
LastPass offers several features to help protect against credential harvesting. Below are some ways LastPass can help.
Reduce password re-using
With LastPass, users can generate and store unique and complex passwords for every account, which significantly reduces the risk of password re-use. The approach limits the potential impact of even one single compromised credential.
Phishing protection
LastPass includes built-in phishing protection by helping users fill out forms on only verified and safe websites. This feature prevents users from entering login information or private data onto fraudulent sites.
Dedicated TIME team
With a dedicated team focused on threat intelligence and security maturity that continuously monitors for emerging threats and vulnerabilities, LastPass proves invaluable in the quest to defend against credential harvesting. The team ensures a proactive approach, keeping the platform secure and up to date against the latest credential-harvesting tactics and techniques.
Monitoring and alerts
LastPass also offers dark web monitoring, alerting users if their credentials appear in known data breaches. This feature allows users to quickly respond and change compromised passwords to mitigate the effects of an attack.
Credential harvesting poses a significant threat to organizations and individuals in today’s digital landscape. By understanding the techniques used by attackers and implementing measures, policies, and controls including secure credential management solutions like LastPass, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to these attacks.
Regular employee education in cybersecurity, combined with strong authentication practices and vigilant monitoring are key components in comprehensive strategy against credential harvesting.
Cyber threats will continue to evolve. Staying informed about the latest cybersecurity best practices and leveraging advanced tools and new technology designed to protect and defend is a crucial step in maintaining a strong security posture.
By prioritizing secure credential management and adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, individuals and organizations can better protect their assets and maintain the trust of customers and stakeholders. Utilizing security tools makes this process easier.
