Automation · API / MCP 中文

Technique note · T1552.004

Private Keys

Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials. Private cryptographic keys and certificates are used for authentication, encryption/decryption, and digital signatures. Common key and certificate file extensions include: .key, .pgp, .gpg, .ppk, .p12, .pem, .pfx, .cer, .p7b, .asc. Adversaries may also look in common key directories, such as <code>~/.ssh</code> for SSH keys on * nix-based systems or <code>C:&#92;Users&#92;(username)&#92;.ssh&#92;</code> on Windows. Adversary tools may also search compromised systems for file extensions relating to cryptographic keys and certificates. When a device is registered to Entra ID, a device key and a transport key are generated and used to verify the device’s identity. An adversary with access to the device may be able to export the keys in order to impersonate the device. On network devices, private keys may be exported via Network Device CLI commands such as `crypto pki export`. Some private keys require a password or passphrase for operation, so an adversary may also use Input Capture for keylogging or attempt to Brute Force the passphrase off-line. These private keys can be used to authenticate to Remote Services like SSH or for use in decrypting other collected files such as email.

ATT&CK T1552.004 platforms — Status Active Version 20.1

Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials. Private cryptographic keys and certificates are used for authentication, encryption/decryption, and digital signatures.1 Common key and certificate file extensions include: .key, .pgp, .gpg, .ppk, .p12, .pem, .pfx, .cer, .p7b, .asc. Adversaries may also look in common key directories, such as <code>~/.ssh</code> for SSH keys on * nix-based systems or <code>C:&#92;Users&#92;(username)&#92;.ssh&#92;</code> on Windows. Adversary tools may also search compromised systems for file extensions relating to cryptographic keys and certificates.23 When a device is registered to Entra ID, a device key and a transport key are generated and used to verify the device’s identity.4 An adversary with access to the device may be able to export the keys in order to impersonate the device.5 On network devices, private keys may be exported via Network Device CLI commands such as `crypto pki export`.6 Some private keys require a password or passphrase for operation, so an adversary may also use Input Capture for keylogging or attempt to Brute Force the passphrase off-line. These private keys can be used to authenticate to Remote Services like SSH or for use in decrypting other collected files such as email.

  1. Wikipedia Public Key Crypto
  2. Kaspersky Careto
  3. Palo Alto Prince of Persia
  4. Microsoft Primary Refresh Token
  5. AADInternals Azure AD Device Identities
  6. cisco_deploy_rsa_keys

Groups using this technique

GroupNameCountry
grp_g1056TeamPCP—
grp_g1015Scattered Spider—
grp_g1053Storm-0501—
grp_g1017Volt Typhoon—
grp_g0082APT38DPRK
grp_g0094KimsukyDPRK
grp_g0139TeamTNT—
grp_g0106Rocke—

Claims

No public claim points at this technique yet.

Auto-ingested and not human-reviewed; confidence and validity read by citation.