When attackers interact with applications and services, they may exploit opportunities for Password Guessing, which involves trying various combinations of usernames and passwords over the network. This method allows attackers to identify accounts with weak username-password pairs.
If an attacker successfully guesses a valid login, they gain access to various functionalities and sensitive data, including:
Email Accounts: Access to years’ worth of emails may reveal previously shared passwords, enabling further system logins and exposing sensitive attachments.
HVAC Systems: Compromising an admin account for a heating and cooling system allows attackers to manipulate settings, potentially overheating critical server rooms.
VPN Access: By guessing an employee’s weak VPN password, an attacker can infiltrate the internal network, facilitating actions like deploying ransomware.
Web Applications: Even if a web app appears secure externally, a successful password guess on a regular user’s account can exploit internal vulnerabilities, compromising the entire server.