T1003.002: OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM)

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK · Tactic: Credential Access · Total Cataloged Families: 5 · Observed Samples: 8 · Primary Threat Categories: Advanced Threat · Trojan

Operational Executive Summary

T1003.002 (OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM)) is classified under the Credential Access tactic within the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Techniques for stealing credentials such as plaintext passwords, password hashes, and Kerberos tickets using memory dumping (LSASS) and browser credential store decryption. In telemetry gathered across enterprise endpoints and the EMBER 2018 benchmark, this technique was weaponized across 5 distinct malware families, totaling over 8 validated samples.

Technical Anatomy & Adversary Tradecraft

Adversaries leverage OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM) to accomplish operational objectives while minimizing anomalous forensic footprints. When executing OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM), malicious binaries commonly interact directly with low-level Windows APIs, kernel mode drivers, or native scripting interfaces to bypass traditional file-integrity monitors and static antivirus signatures.

In modern multi-stage campaigns, T1003.002 is frequently observed functioning as an intermediate bridge: initial access payloads (such as spearphishing loaders or exploit macros) execute OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM) to establish in-memory execution or persistence before staging secondary ransomware or data-exfiltration implants.

Authoritative MITRE ATT&CK Reference: View official technique documentation, sub-techniques, and adversary groups at https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1003/002/.

Detection Engineering & Threat Hunting

Detecting OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM) requires telemetry correlation across endpoint detection and response (EDR) agents, Sysmon event streams, and security information event management (SIEM) pipelines:

Process Creation & Lineage: Monitor parent-child process anomalies where unexpected parent binaries (e.g., Office executables, web browsers, or script hosts) spawn command shells or native Windows utilities.
API Hooking & Behavioral Telemetry: EDR platforms should flag rapid calls to memory allocation, process injection, or registry manipulation APIs originating from unbacked executable memory regions.
Network Anomaly Correlation: Cross-reference endpoint execution timestamps with external network socket establishment to identify anomalous beaconing or covert data staging.

SOC Containment & Hardening Guidance

To mitigate risks associated with T1003.002 (OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM)) across production infrastructure, security teams should implement the following defensive controls:

Attack Surface Reduction (ASR): Enforce strict application control policies (WDAC or AppLocker) to restrict execution to signed and verified corporate binaries.
Least Privilege & Credential Hygiene: Restrict local administrative privileges to prevent adversaries from tampering with defensive agents or escalating privileges.
Network Microsegmentation: Restrict lateral communication across endpoint VLANs to prevent wormable payloads from utilizing OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM) across adjacent network segments.

→ Incident Response Guidance: Read our InfoStealer Protection & Remediation

Cataloged Malware Families Utilizing T1003.002 (5 Families)

The following malware families in the SystemHelpDesk catalog have been verified utilizing T1003.002 (OS Credential Dumping: Security Account Manager (SAM)):

5 families

Family	Category	Sample Count	Technical Summary
hckpk	Advanced Threat	`4`	HackTool:Win32/Hckpk is a generic detection classification used for various HackTools and Password Crackers. These are technically dual-use utilities; they ...
libsam	Advanced Threat	`1`	<h3>Executive Summary</h3> Libsam (often a component of or detected alongside tools like `pwdump` or `gsecdump`) is a classification for a HackTool library desi...
pswdump	Advanced Threat	`1`	<h3>Executive Summary</h3> PSWDump is a malicious HackTool and credential dumper specifically designed to extract Windows NT LAN Manager (NTLM) password hashes ...
pwdump	Advanced Threat	`1`	<h3>Executive Summary</h3> Pwdump is not a malware family itself, but rather a classification for a series of legitimate, highly potent penetration testing tool...
pwkiller	Trojan	`1`	HackTool:Win32/Pwkiller (Password Killer) is a specialized utility designed for Credential Access (`T1003`). Unlike general-purpose trojans, Pwkiller focuses ex...