As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, hybrid cyberattacks have emerged as a formidable challenge for organizations. These attacks combine multiple techniques, such as password cracking, malware deployment, and social engineering, to exploit vulnerabilities in a comprehensive manner. By merging various tactics, attackers can bypass traditional defenses and increase their chances of success.

How do hybrid attacks work?

A hybrid cyberattack is an advanced form of attack where threat actors use a combination of two or more techniques to exploit vulnerabilities within a target system. This method is particularly effective because it leverages multiple attack vectors simultaneously, making it harder to detect and defend against. For instance, a hybrid attack on passwords might combine a dictionary attack with brute force, exploiting human tendencies to create weak or predictable passwords while systematically generating variations until the correct credentials are found.

Beyond password attacks, hybrid methods can extend to more complex operations, such as state-sponsored cyber warfare. For example, an attacker might deploy malware to disrupt operations while simultaneously launching a social media disinformation campaign to destabilize the target’s reputation. The blending of traditional and digital attack methods makes hybrid cyberattacks not only versatile but also more potent.

One of the most prevalent applications of hybrid attacks is in password cracking, where attackers combine several methods to maximize their chances of success. Here are some typical components of hybrid password attacks:

Dictionary Attack

A dictionary attack involves using a predefined list, or “dictionary,” of likely possibilities to guess passwords or decryption keys. These possibilities often include common passwords, frequently used phrases, industry-specific terms, and simple patterns like “QWERTY.” This method takes advantage of the human tendency to create passwords based on convenience and familiarity. Attackers may gather additional intel from social media platforms, uncovering details about users, potential usernames, and their industries, which can provide further clues to likely password choices.

Brute Force Attack

Brute force attacks are more exhaustive, as attackers use software to systematically try all possible character combinations until the correct password or decryption key is found. While this technique can be time-intensive, it can be highly effective, especially against short or simple passwords. By starting with common base terms from dictionary lists, brute force attacks can further optimize their effectiveness.

For example, with “password” as a base term, a brute-force approach might generate variations like “Password,” “Password1,” “PASSWORD,” and “PASSWORD2,” iterating through possible combinations. By combining dictionary and brute-force methods, attackers increase their success rate, considering both the likelihood of common words and typical variations used to meet password complexity requirements.

Mask Attack

A mask attack is a variation of brute-force tactics, where attackers exploit known elements of a password’s structure to reduce the number of guesses required. For instance, they may know that a password is eight characters long and ends with a number. Alternatively, attackers might be aware that a company uses predictable patterns, like appending the current month and year to passwords. Having any definitive information on the password’s format significantly speeds up the hybrid attack process by narrowing down potential combinations.

Why Are Hybrid Attacks So Effective?

The effectiveness of hybrid attacks lies in their ability to exploit multiple weak points within an organization’s security framework simultaneously. By layering different attack techniques, hackers can bypass many traditional defenses. For instance, a hybrid password attack might start by testing a list of common passwords (dictionary attack) and then use brute force to try slight variations, such as adding numbers or special characters. This approach increases the likelihood of breaking into accounts with passwords that, while initially strong, have predictable variations.

Moreover, hybrid attacks can target more than just login credentials. State-sponsored attackers might merge cyber operations with physical or psychological tactics to create a larger impact. For example, malware attacks combined with social media disinformation campaigns can disrupt operations and erode public trust, as seen in attacks against critical infrastructure.

How to Protect Against Hybrid Cyberattacks

Hybrid password attacks effectively exploit vulnerabilities in an organization’s password policies by targeting weak spots with combined attack methods. To counter these sophisticated tactics, it’s essential to develop a comprehensive strategy that identifies and eliminates weak or compromised passwords, while reinforcing password policies to maintain ongoing security. Just as attackers layer their methods, organizations need to layer their defenses.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA enhances security by requiring users to verify their identity with something beyond just a password, which can halt an attack even if the password is compromised. While MFA is a critical component of password security, it’s not foolproof—attackers can deploy tactics like MFA prompt bombing to bypass this defense. Therefore, MFA should be part of a multi-layered security approach rather than the sole reliance.

Block Weak Passwords

Dictionary and mask attacks thrive on easily guessed words and predictable patterns, which significantly accelerate brute-force techniques. Blocking weak, commonly used words, as well as terms specific to your organization, removes one of the attackers’ key advantages and reduces the effectiveness of these attacks.

Enforce Longer Passwords

Longer passwords make brute-force attacks computationally impractical. Encouraging the use of passphrases made up of three random words, totaling around 20 characters, can effectively neutralize the brute-force threat. This practice not only enhances security but also creates passwords that are both strong and memorable for users.

Check for Compromised Passwords

Even a strong password can be compromised through phishing attacks or data breaches. Additionally, users might reuse strong work passwords on personal sites or applications with weaker security, exposing your organization to risk. Since detecting these compromised passwords can be challenging until it’s too late, leveraging a tool that scans your Active Directory for compromised passwords is essential.

Hybrid password attacks illustrate the need for a multi-layered approach to security. By combining brute-force techniques with methods like dictionary and mask attacks, threat actors can exploit weak password policies and compromised credentials to infiltrate your systems. To defend against these attacks, organizations must implement strong password policies, enforce multi-factor authentication, block weak and predictable passwords, encourage the use of longer passphrases, and regularly check for compromised credentials.

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Post written by Zarkica Bakic, Galia IT.