Credential-Based Attacks Overview

Credential-based attacks are one of the most prevalent means through which attackers gain initial access to Microsoft 365 environments. Credential stuffing is a common tactic where attackers exploit old or leaked passwords from external sources, often unrelated to the targeted organizations, due to users' tendency to reuse passwords across various platforms. For example, breaches from unrelated applications can lead to compromised corporate accounts because employees frequently use the same credentials. This attack method highlights the importance of password management and security policies to mitigate the risk associated with credential reuse.