MITRE ATT&CK Technique
T1556Modify Authentication Process
- First Reported
- Sep 22, 2026
- Latest Reported
- Sep 22, 2026
Official Description
Adversaries may modify authentication mechanisms and processes to access user credentials or enable otherwise unwarranted access to accounts. The authentication process is handled by mechanisms, such as the Local Security Authentication Server (LSASS) process and the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) on Windows, pluggable authentication modules (PAM) on Unix-based systems, and authorization plugins on MacOS systems, responsible for gathering, storing, and validating credentials. By modifying an authentication process, an adversary may be able to authenticate to a service or system without using [Valid Accounts](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1078).
Adversaries may maliciously modify a part of this process to either reveal credentials or bypass authentication mechanisms. Compromised credentials or access may be used to bypass access controls placed on various resources on systems within the network and may even be used for persistent access to remote systems and externally available services, such as VPNs, Outlook Web Access and remote desktop.
Adversaries may maliciously modify a part of this process to either reveal credentials or bypass authentication mechanisms. Compromised credentials or access may be used to bypass access controls placed on various resources on systems within the network and may even be used for persistent access to remote systems and externally available services, such as VPNs, Outlook Web Access and remote desktop.
- Tactics
- Defense Impairment, Persistence, Credential Access
- Platforms
- IaaS, Identity Provider, Linux, macOS, Network Devices, Office Suite, SaaS, Windows
- MITRE Version
- 3.0
- Last Modified
- May 12, 2026
Sub-techniques (9)
T1556.001 · Domain Controller AuthenticationT1556.002 · Password Filter DLLT1556.003 · Pluggable Authentication ModulesT1556.004 · Network Device AuthenticationT1556.005 · Reversible EncryptionT1556.006 · Multi-Factor AuthenticationT1556.007 · Hybrid IdentityT1556.008 · Network Provider DLLT1556.009 · Conditional Access Policies
Reported Context (1)
- A registered ScreenConnect credential provider exposed interactive logons to the operator. CSuite Campaign Uses Phishing, M365 Session Theft and Remote-Access Tools Against US and EU Organizations
MITRE ATT&CK (26)
Vendors (8)
Products (10)
Tools (3)
Industries (6)
Countries (6)
Note: Related entities, including threat actors, malware, CVEs, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, vendors, products, tools, countries, and industries, are shown when they appear in the same reporting. Their presence does not necessarily mean they were targeted, compromised, vulnerable, responsible for the activity, or directly involved in the incident.