A cyberattack where stolen account credentials are used to gain unauthorized access to user accounts across multiple platforms.
Description
Credential stuffing is a type of automated cyberattack that exploits the widespread practice of users reusing passwords across multiple services. In this attack, cybercriminals obtain lists of stolen usernames and passwords from previous data breaches and use software tools to automatically try these credentials on various websites. Because many users do not create unique passwords for different accounts, this method can yield high success rates. Credential stuffing attacks can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, financial fraud, and identity theft. Organizations face significant risks from such attacks, as they can compromise user trust and lead to financial losses. To mitigate the risk of credential stuffing, organizations are encouraged to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), monitor for unusual login patterns, and educate users on the importance of creating unique, strong passwords for each account they hold.
Examples
- In 2019, a credential stuffing attack targeted an online retail platform, allowing attackers to access thousands of customer accounts using stolen credentials.
- A financial services company experienced a large-scale credential stuffing attack that resulted in unauthorized transactions for numerous users.
Additional Information
- Credential stuffing attacks are often automated using bots, which can attempt thousands of login attempts per second.
- Implementing rate limiting and CAPTCHA can help mitigate the effectiveness of these types of attacks.