A Brute Force Attack: What Is It?
A brute force attack is a hacking method that uses trial and error to crack encryption keys, login credentials, and passwords.
Although threat actors and cyberattackers have been using brute force attacks for a while, they are still quite successful and commonly employed today. Brute force assaults are used by attackers to:
Although threat actors and cyberattackers have been using brute force attacks for a while, they are still quite successful and commonly employed today. Brute force assaults are used by attackers to:
- Crack passwords
- Unlock encrypted information
- Acquire entry to unapproved networks, websites, or systems
Using this method, attackers try every possible combination in an attempt to guess the information they need. For instance, they frequently attempt a variety of login information and password combinations. These attacks are frequently automated, relying on software to quickly try a large number of different combinations.
The term "brute force" makes sense because it refers to any method of accomplishing a goal by power rather than always using the finest abilities, plans, or tools (technology).
The term "brute force" makes sense because it refers to any method of accomplishing a goal by power rather than always using the finest abilities, plans, or tools (technology).
Hackers employ excessive force to accomplish their objectives. Because they can be time-consuming and may not always succeed, attackers frequently utilize them as a last resort. Brute force attacks have a specific application: they work especially well on systems that have weak passwords or other security flaws. Consequently, in order to defend against brute-force assaults, enterprises need to utilize strong, one-of-a-kind passwords along with additional security measures.
Trends of brute force
Companies need to make sure that their employees are knowledgeable on the most recent cyberattacks in order to be strong against them all. For the most recent list of the most frequent cyberthreats, see Splunk's Top 50 Cybersecurity Threats. The annual report incorporates cutting-edge insights from the Splunk Threat Research Team and comprises:
- The MITRE ATT&CK Framework is linked to the top 50 security risks.
- How they are employed
- Effects on Your Company
- Methods of prevention
Brute force attacks are still a frequent cyberthreat in 2023, and your total threat intelligence should take this into consideration.
Repercussions of brute force assaults
Similar to other attacks, a brute force attack's effect is contingent upon:
- The objective
- The reasons for the attacker's actions
Attackers can steal important personal data, such as bank and credit account details, personal identity details, health information, etc., once they have access to the system and network of the user account of interest. Attackers don't have to care about the people they hurt because they can benefit from selling such information to other parties.
Large-scale, sensitive data breaches, such as the recent LastPass breach, which has serious ramifications for both individuals and businesses, can arise from hacking into corporate database accounts. (CNET notes that "most sensitive data is encrypted" in the LastPass incident. That doesn't address the problem of threat actors being able to attack stolen local files via brute force.)
These assaults also have a systems component. Assaults with brute force can
- Need a lot of computer resources, such as bandwidth and CPU time.
- Affect the targeted system's performance, making it harder for authorized users to access the system.
There are also long-term consequences. Imagine that a brute force attack has infiltrated the systems and data of your firm. In addition to the immediate loss, there could be long-term consequences that harm your company's reputation, cause customers to lose faith in your data protection policies, and eventually cause them to lose faith in your brand. Legal repercussions for your firm could include fines or jail time, depending on the attack's specifics and the relevant data protection regulations.
Malware can also infiltrate your systems through brute force attacks. Once a website has been compromised, they can program links to lead to dangerous websites that are contaminated with malware, tempting visitors to download them. Furthermore, malicious actors have the ability to place spam advertisements on hacked websites, profit from them, and install spyware to monitor user activity.
As a result, a brute force attack can have a big effect and affect the targeted system or organization in a big way.
Types of assaults using brute force
Brute force attacks come in various forms. Based on their mode of execution and the targets they are intended to assault, threat actors may select one. Let's examine a few typical forms of brute force attacks:
- Basic brute force attacks
- Dictionary assaults
- Brute force hybrid attacks
- Attacks using reverse brute force
- Stuffing credentials
- Attacks with rainbow tables
- Spraying passwords
- RDP connection brute force attacks
Basic brute force attacks
An attacker using a basic brute force attack attempts to swiftly break a limited set of simple passwords or keys. These attacks might work well on systems with basic password restrictions or weak passwords. For instance, this approach may quickly and readily guess simple passwords that don't require a combination of upper- and lower-case characters and are easy passwords using common expressions like "name12345."
Attackers can employ scripts and automation, or they can carry it out manually. Even if automated attacks might be more effective, security measures are more likely to detect and stop them. On the other hand, this method usually fails when applied to systems with tight security settings or passwords.
Attackers can employ scripts and automation, or they can carry it out manually. Even if automated attacks might be more effective, security measures are more likely to detect and stop them. On the other hand, this method usually fails when applied to systems with tight security settings or passwords.
Dictionary Assaults
In a dictionary attack, a prearranged list of words, usually retrieved from a dictionary, is used to try various password combinations against a login. The program the attacker uses will attempt various word and phrase combinations in an attempt to determine the proper password. In addition to using unabridged or specialized dictionaries, hackers can also generate passwords by enhancing words with special characters and digits. Dictionary assaults can also be carried out by attackers using passwords that have previously been compromised in data breaches.
Dictionary attacks can be successful since many users select word or phrase passwords. These passwords are easily guessable by the attacker's program.
Dictionary attacks can be successful since many users select word or phrase passwords. These passwords are easily guessable by the attacker's program.
Brute force hybrid attacks
A dictionary attack and a conventional brute force attack are combined to create a hybrid brute force attack. In a hybrid attack, the attacker will try a list of frequently used words and phrases using a program, similar to a dictionary attack, and a collection of random characters, similar to a classic brute force attack.
A hybrid assault that combines these two methods may be more effective than a brute force or dictionary attack alone. The attacker can test both popular and uncommon password combinations thanks to it.
A hybrid assault that combines these two methods may be more effective than a brute force or dictionary attack alone. The attacker can test both popular and uncommon password combinations thanks to it.
Attacks using reverse brute force
An attacker does not know the password they are guessing in a typical brute force attack. A reverse BF assault functions in reverse, as its name suggests. For instance, if the attacker is aware of the password or PIN they need, they will check through millions of usernames in an attempt to get the one that matches.
Attackers typically utilize internet passwords that have been made public by previous data breaches for this strategy. In order to accelerate the attack, this procedure can also be automated.
Attackers typically utilize internet passwords that have been made public by previous data breaches for this strategy. In order to accelerate the attack, this procedure can also be automated.
Stuffing credentials
The login credentials can be used by numerous users for different user accounts. Using a stolen list of username and password pairings to obtain unauthorized access to other accounts is known as credential stuffing. The hackers attempt these credentials on several websites using automated programs. If they are successful, they might be able to obtain private and financial information.
Because the hackers are utilizing real login credentials, be aware that these attempts may go unnoticed.
Attackers using credential stuffing techniques may cause more harm if they carry out malicious actions over an extended period of time without the victim's knowledge or agreement. It may have caused significant harm that is difficult to repair by the time the user realizes it.
Because the hackers are utilizing real login credentials, be aware that these attempts may go unnoticed.
Attackers using credential stuffing techniques may cause more harm if they carry out malicious actions over an extended period of time without the victim's knowledge or agreement. It may have caused significant harm that is difficult to repair by the time the user realizes it.
Attacks with rainbow tables
The precomputed tables called rainbow tables have the hash values needed to crack passwords. Password hashes generated by a number of hashing methods, such as MD5, SHA-1, and NTLM, can be cracked via rainbow table attacks. Without having to go through the computationally demanding process of hashing every potential plaintext and comparing the result with the target hash, attackers may easily seek up the associated plaintext for a given hash.
Spraying passwords
Applying the same password to an excessive number of accounts is known as password spraying. Rather than attempting every character combination, the attacker attempts a number of popular passwords on numerous accounts. Due to the widespread usage of the same password across several accounts, password spraying attacks are frequently successful. They allow attackers to obtain access to numerous accounts with minimal effort by attempting a limited number of frequently used passwords on numerous accounts.
By using this method, attackers can also get around lockout regulations that limit the amount of password tries. Common targets of this kind of attack include cloud-based applications that use federated authentication and single sign-on (SSO).
By using this method, attackers can also get around lockout regulations that limit the amount of password tries. Common targets of this kind of attack include cloud-based applications that use federated authentication and single sign-on (SSO).
RDP connection brute force attacks
Remote desktop protocol (RDP) connections are being used much more frequently now that many employees are working from home due to the epidemic. Brute force assaults on RDP connections have also increased as a result of this growth. Attackers have the ability to implant malware into a network and propagate laterally if they are successful in guessing the password for a remote RDP connection.
Stopping brutal force assaults
You’ll never be 100% protected from brute force. Still, lots of protection is better than none. Here are some ways you can prevent BF attacks.
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