T1040: Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit)

Framework: MITRE ATT&CK · Tactic: Credential Access · Total Cataloged Families: 7 · Observed Samples: 14 · Primary Threat Categories: Trojan · Advanced Threat

Operational Executive Summary

T1040 (Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit)) 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 7 distinct malware families, totaling over 14 validated samples.

Technical Anatomy & Adversary Tradecraft

Adversaries leverage Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit) to accomplish operational objectives while minimizing anomalous forensic footprints. When executing Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit), 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, T1040 is frequently observed functioning as an intermediate bridge: initial access payloads (such as spearphishing loaders or exploit macros) execute Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit) 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/T1040/.

Detection Engineering & Threat Hunting

Detecting Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit) 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 T1040 (Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit)) 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 Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit) across adjacent network segments.

→ Incident Response Guidance: Read our InfoStealer Protection & Remediation

Cataloged Malware Families Utilizing T1040 (7 Families)

The following malware families in the SystemHelpDesk catalog have been verified utilizing T1040 (Network Sniffing (Stealing credentials in transit)):

7 families

Family	Category	Sample Count	Technical Summary
hlux	Trojan	`4`	Trojan:Win32/Hlux (more commonly known to the security industry as the Kelihos botnet) was a highly sophisticated, notoriously resilient peer-to-peer (P2P) ...
wpepro	Advanced Threat	`3`	HackTool:Win32/Wpepro (Winsock Packet Editor Pro) is a powerful, legacy network utility designed to intercept, analyze, and modify network packets at the Winsoc...
siplog	Trojan	`2`	Trojan:Win32/Siplog is a specialized Information Stealer designed specifically to target and compromise Voice over IP (VoIP) communications. Its primary objecti...
wpakill	Advanced Threat	`2`	HackTool:Win32/Wpakill is a classification for a suite of specialized utilities designed to audit, brute-force, or crack Wi-Fi network security, specifically ta...
amdocssims	Trojan	`1`	Amdocssims (classified in antivirus detection telemetry under designations including Trojan:Win32/Amdocssims, Trojan.Win32.Amdocssims, and Win32/Amdocssims) is ...
redsip	Trojan	`1`	<h3>Executive Summary</h3> RedSip is a highly specialized Trojan and backdoor designed specifically to target, intercept, and exploit Voice over IP (VoIP) commu...
snifie	Advanced Threat	`1`	<h3>Executive Summary</h3> Snifie is a specialized Information Stealer and Network Sniffer. Unlike standard info-stealers that rely on extracting passwords from...