Cybercriminals can attack systems through password spraying or dictionary attacks, but they also do so in different ways. Password spraying attempts to break into multiple accounts using a few common passwords, while dictionary attacks use a list of many possible passwords against a single account. The attacker aims to find accounts with weak passwords, thus avoiding detection from account lockout mechanisms. But a dictionary attack involves trying every word in a predetermined list (the “dictionary”) as a password for one or more user accounts. This method is more exhaustive and systematic compared to password spraying.
Both techniques aim to control weak or commonly used passwords to gain unauthorized access. Yet password spraying is less likely to trigger account lockouts and can be effective against organizations with loose password policies. On the other hand, a dictionary attack requires more computational resources but can potentially uncover stronger passwords that may not be included in common password lists.
To defend against these attacks, organizations should implement the following:
- Strong password policies
- Encourage the use of multi-factor authentication
- Regularly update systems
- Employ security measures like account lockout policies and intrusion detection systems
Now, let’s understand each in detail, and then conclude how they both are different from each other:
What is Password Spraying?
Weak passwords are common, as people often create predictable passwords. Moreover, individuals frequently reuse the same password across multiple accounts. This makes it easier for hackers to use a technique called “password spraying”. In this attack, hackers try several commonly stolen passwords on multiple Internet accounts. This is different from a brute force attack, which tests multiple passwords against a single account. Password sprinkling is effective because it takes very few passwords to work against many accounts.
Let’s take an example
- A hacker might have a list of usernames from a social media platform. They could try a common password like “password123” on all of these usernames. If just a few people use this weak password, the hacker gains access to their accounts.
- Let’s take another example, an attacker might also try to break into an email provider’s accounts. They could use a list of common passwords on all of the known email addresses at the provider. If even a small percentage of people use those passwords, the hacker could gain access to many email accounts.
Working on Password Spraying
- Attackers identify a target organization or system, often using publicly available information like email addresses or usernames.
- They choose a set of commonly used passwords or passwords likely to be used within the target organization. These passwords could be based on common patterns, company names, or easily guessable variations of commonly used words.
- The attacker then attempts to authenticate using each username and the chosen password. They might use automated tools or scripts to carry out this process efficiently.
- Following a successful cyberattack, the attacker gains control of user accounts. These accounts can then be exploited to steal sensitive data, deploy malicious software, and launch additional attacks within the victim’s network.
Password Spraying Technique
In Password Spraying, the attacker tries the password against many user accounts, a hacker can perform this task with multiple passwords but will repeat this pattern, suppose it fails with all passwords, then the attacker will change the password and repeat the same thing and try to log in across several usernames.
What is Dictionary Attack?
Dictionary attacks use lists of common words and phrases to guess passwords. They’re a brute-force password cracking technique. The attacker tries many possibilities from a “dictionary” list. Like “password@123”, “let me in”, and “123456”. Suppose an attacker wants user email access. They’ll compile a dictionary of popular passwords, then try logging in.
Dictionary attacks employ brute-force attempts at guessing passwords through commonly used word/phrase combinations. If trying to breach someone’s email, the attacker assembles a list containing typical easy passwords. Then systematically tries each entry until successful access.
Working on Dictionary Attack
- The attacker acquires a dictionary file containing a vast number of words, phrases, and potential password combinations. These can be downloaded online or created using password-generation tools.
- An automated program feeds these entries one by one into the login system, mimicking the process of trying different passwords.
- If a dictionary entry coincides with the actual password, the attacker gains access to the account. If none of the entries in the dictionary match, the attack fails.
Dictionary Attack Technique
In a Dictionary attack, the attacker tries a list of passwords (dictionary) against a single user account, if the attacker does not succeed, then the attacker might change the user and then apply all the passwords to that user account just like above.
Password Spraying vs Dictionary Attack
|
Keywords |
Password Spraying |
Dictionary Attack |
|---|---|---|
|
Method |
Uses a limited set of common passwords across multiple user accounts, exploiting the likelihood of users having weak or reused passwords. |
Tries all combinations from a predefined list or dictionary. |
|
Resources |
Less resource-intensive (fewer attempts per account) |
More resource-intensive (larger dictionary, complex passwords) |
|
Target |
Many usernames with common passwords |
Single username (or few usernames) with many passwords |
|
Password List |
Common passwords and variations (limited set) |
Words from a dictionary and variations (potentially large) |
|
Success Rate |
It may be successful if any of the targeted accounts have weak or commonly used passwords. |
Success largely depends on the quality and comprehensiveness of the dictionary used, it can be effective against accounts with strong passwords if the dictionary contains the correct passphrase. |
|
Detection |
It can be harder to detect as it involves fewer failed login attempts per account, potentially bypassing automated security measures. |
Easier due to the high volume of attempts from a single source. More likely to trigger account lockouts or alarms due to the high volume of login attempts with different passwords. |
|
Lockout Risk |
Higher due to repeated attempts on one username |
Lower due to spread-out attempts across accounts |
|
Prevention |
Strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, login monitoring |
Similar measures as password spraying, with additional brute-force prevention (account lockouts, rate limiting, CAPTCHAs) |
|
Risk |
Distributed risk across multiple accounts (wider potential impact) |
Concentrated risk on targeted account (lower widespread compromise risk) |
Methods to Mitigate Against Password Spraying and Dictionary Attack
- Enhanced Password Security: Make robust and distinct passwords for each online account combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to generate and protect complex passwords.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Strengthen security by activating MFA wherever possible. This assigns an additional verification step, such as a one-time code sent to your phone upon login.
- Account Lockout Measures: Enforce account lockout policies to automatically block access after multiple consecutive failed login attempts. This stops malicious actors from relentlessly trying to decipher passwords.
- Monitoring and Alerting: Keep an eye on login attempts and watch for signs of trouble, like lots of failed logins from different places or at odd hours. Also, set up alarms that will tell admins if there might be a “password-spraying” attack, where someone tries lots of passwords on different accounts.
Conclusion
Both password spraying and dictionary attacks are techniques for hacking into accounts. Password spraying tries many accounts with a few common passwords. On the other hand, dictionary attacks use a list of words to try every possible password. To enhance cybersecurity, implementing strong password policies and using multi-factor authentication can mostly help to defend against attacks.
Dictionary Attack and Password Spraying – FAQs
Why are dictionary attacks successful in cracking passwords?
Dictionary attacks succeed in cracking passwords because they exploit vulnerabilities and rely on the predictability of passwords. When organizations/users use simple or common combinations for logins, hackers can easily guess them. They often begin by trying common words from a dictionary, such as pet names, birthdays, or popular phrases.
What’s the biggest advantage of a password-spraying attack over a password brute-forcing attack?
Password spraying attack works differently from brute force attack. Instead of trying many passwords for one user, it tries a single password across many users. One big advantage for cybercriminals is that password-spraying attacks don’t usually trigger account lockouts. This means they can keep trying without getting noticed, increasing their chances of success.
What technique makes a password less vulnerable to dictionary attacks?
Users should select long unique passwords. Passwords consisting of completely random characters should be of at least 10 characters, with 14 being more future-proof. Using a passphrase with four to six random words offers similar protection but is easier for the average user to remember.