T1110: Brute Force
T1110 (Brute Force) 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 101 validated samples.
Technical Anatomy & Adversary Tradecraft
Adversaries leverage Brute Force to accomplish operational objectives while minimizing anomalous forensic footprints. When executing Brute Force, 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, T1110 is frequently observed functioning as an intermediate bridge: initial access payloads (such as spearphishing loaders or exploit macros) execute Brute Force to establish in-memory execution or persistence before staging secondary ransomware or data-exfiltration implants.
https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1110/.
Detection Engineering & Threat Hunting
Detecting Brute Force 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 T1110 (Brute Force) 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 Brute Force across adjacent network segments.
Cataloged Malware Families Utilizing T1110 (5 Families)
The following malware families in the SystemHelpDesk catalog have been verified utilizing T1110 (Brute Force):
| Family | Category | Sample Count | Technical Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| bancteian | Downloader | 91 | Bancteian (cataloged across security vendors under signatures including Trojan:Win32/Bancteian, TrojanDownloader:Win32/Bancteian, and Trojan.Bancteian) is a spe... |
| cryakl | Ransomware | 8 | Ransom:Win32/Cryakl is a highly destructive, Russian-origin ransomware family first observed around 2014. It is designed to aggressively encrypt a wide range of... |
| sathurbot | Trojan | 1 | Trojan:Win32/Sathurbot is a sophisticated botnet agent known for its unique propagation and Command and Control (C2) methods. Unlike bots that rely solely on em... |
| taworm | Ransomware | 1 | Worm:Win32/Taworm is a self-replicating malware strain designed to spread rapidly across networks and removable media without requiring user interaction beyond ... |
| brutus | Tool | Sampled | Brutus is a widely recognized and versatile password-cracking utility that has been utilized by both security professionals and malicious actors for over two de... |