216.73.216.226

T1550: T1550

View on MITRE ATT&CK The MITRE Corporation · Published 30/01/2020 17:18 · Modified 27/03/2026 01:10

Essential information

MITRE technique ID
T1550
Confidence
100/100
Revoked
No
Published
30/01/2020 17:18
Modified
27/03/2026 01:10
Author / Source
The MITRE Corporation

Aliases

Use Alternate Authentication Material

Platforms

windows linux Containers IaaS Office Suite Identity Provider SaaS

Description

Adversaries may use alternate authentication material, such as password hashes, Kerberos tickets, and application access tokens, in order to move laterally within an environment and bypass normal system access controls. Authentication processes generally require a valid identity (e.g., username) along with one or more authentication factors (e.g., password, pin, physical smart card, token generator, etc.). Alternate authentication material is legitimately generated by systems after a user or application successfully authenticates by providing a valid identity and the required authentication factor(s). Alternate authentication material may also be generated during the identity creation process.(Citation: NIST Authentication)(Citation: NIST MFA) Caching alternate authentication material allows the system to verify an identity has successfully authenticated without asking the user to reenter authentication factor(s). Because the alternate authentication must be maintained by the system—either in memory or on disk—it may be at risk of being stolen through [Credential Access](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0006) techniques. By stealing alternate authentication material, adversaries are able to bypass system access controls and authenticate to systems without knowing the plaintext password or any additional authentication factors.

Kill chain phases

Kill chainPhase
mitre-attack defense-evasion
mitre-attack lateral-movement

Marking (TLP)

TLP:CLEAR Copyright 2015-2025, The MITRE Corporation. MITRE ATT&CK and ATT&CK are registered trademarks of The MITRE Corporation.

External references

Related entities

Intrusion sets, malware, reports, vulnerabilities, indicators and other entities linked to this technique.