type: attack-pattern
spec_version: 2.1
id: attack-pattern--f4c1826f-a322-41cd-9557-562100848c84
created: 2020-02-11T19:01:56.887Z
created_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
revoked: no
external_references: source_name: mitre-attack
url: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1556
external_id: T1556
source_name: Clymb3r Function Hook Passwords Sept 2013
description: Bialek, J. (2013, September 15). Intercepting Password Changes With Function Hooking. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
url: https://clymb3r.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/intercepting-password-changes-with-function-hooking/
source_name: Xorrior Authorization Plugins
description: Chris Ross. (2018, October 17). Persistent Credential Theft with Authorization Plugins. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
url: https://xorrior.com/persistent-credential-theft/
source_name: Dell Skeleton
description: Dell SecureWorks. (2015, January 12). Skeleton Key Malware Analysis. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
url: https://www.secureworks.com/research/skeleton-key-malware-analysis
source_name: dump_pwd_dcsync
description: Metcalf, S. (2015, November 22). Dump Clear-Text Passwords for All Admins in the Domain Using Mimikatz DCSync. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
url: https://adsecurity.org/?p=2053
source_name: TechNet Audit Policy
description: Microsoft. (2016, April 15). Audit Policy Recommendations. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
url: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn487457.aspx
object_marking_refs: marking-definition--fa42a846-8d90-4e51-bc29-71d5b4802168
modified: 2025-10-24T17:49:36.944Z
name: Modify Authentication Process
description: Adversaries may modify authentication mechanisms and processes to access user credentials or enable otherwise unwarranted access to accounts. The authentication process is handled by mechanisms, such as the Local Security Authentication Server (LSASS) process and the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) on Windows, pluggable authentication modules (PAM) on Unix-based systems, and authorization plugins on MacOS systems, responsible for gathering, storing, and validating credentials. By modifying an authentication process, an adversary may be able to authenticate to a service or system without using [Valid Accounts](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078).

Adversaries may maliciously modify a part of this process to either reveal credentials or bypass authentication mechanisms. Compromised credentials or access may be used to bypass access controls placed on various resources on systems within the network and may even be used for persistent access to remote systems and externally available services, such as VPNs, Outlook Web Access and remote desktop.
kill_chain_phases: kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: credential-access
kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: defense-evasion
kill_chain_name: mitre-attack
phase_name: persistence
x_mitre_attack_spec_version: 3.2.0
x_mitre_contributors: Chris Ross @xorrior
x_mitre_deprecated: no
x_mitre_domains: enterprise-attack
x_mitre_is_subtechnique: no
x_mitre_modified_by_ref: identity--c78cb6e5-0c4b-4611-8297-d1b8b55e40b5
x_mitre_platforms: Windows
Linux
macOS
Network Devices
IaaS
SaaS
Office Suite
Identity Provider
x_mitre_version: 2.6