Credential Stuffing vs. Password Spraying

Attribute	Credential Stuffing	Password Spraying
Definition	Automated attack that uses stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access	Automated attack that uses common passwords to gain unauthorized access
Target	Individual user accounts	Multiple user accounts
Risk	Higher risk as it uses valid credentials	Lower risk as it uses common passwords
Detection	Can be harder to detect as it uses valid credentials	May be easier to detect due to multiple failed login attempts

Credential Stuffing

Credential stuffing is a type of cyber attack where attackers use automated tools to try large numbers of username and password combinations to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This method relies on the fact that many people reuse the same credentials across multiple online accounts. Attackers obtain these credentials from data breaches or by purchasing them on the dark web.

Once attackers have a list of stolen credentials, they use automated tools to test these combinations on various websites and services. The goal is to find accounts where the username and password match, allowing the attacker to gain access to the account. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, financial theft, or other malicious activities.

Credential stuffing attacks are often successful because many users use weak or easily guessable passwords, or they reuse the same password across multiple accounts. This makes it easier for attackers to gain access to accounts using stolen credentials. Additionally, many websites do not have proper security measures in place to detect and prevent credential stuffing attacks.

To protect against credential stuffing attacks, users should use unique, complex passwords for each online account and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Website owners should implement security measures such as rate limiting, CAPTCHA challenges, and monitoring for unusual login activity to help prevent these types of attacks.

Password Spraying

Password spraying is another type of cyber attack where attackers attempt to gain unauthorized access to user accounts by trying a small number of commonly used passwords across a large number of accounts. Unlike credential stuffing, password spraying does not rely on stolen credentials but instead focuses on exploiting weak or commonly used passwords.

In a password spraying attack, attackers typically use a list of commonly used passwords such as "password123" or "123456" and try these passwords across a large number of user accounts. The goal is to find accounts where users have not changed their default or weak passwords, allowing the attacker to gain access to the account.

Password spraying attacks are often successful because many users still use weak or easily guessable passwords, despite repeated warnings about the importance of using strong, unique passwords. Attackers can also take advantage of the fact that many organizations do not enforce password complexity requirements or do not have mechanisms in place to detect and prevent password spraying attacks.

To protect against password spraying attacks, users should use strong, unique passwords that are not easily guessable. Password managers can help users generate and store complex passwords for each online account. Organizations should enforce password complexity requirements, implement account lockout policies, and monitor for unusual login activity to help prevent these types of attacks.

Comparison

• Credential stuffing relies on stolen credentials obtained from data breaches, while password spraying focuses on exploiting weak or commonly used passwords.
• Credential stuffing attacks use automated tools to test large numbers of username and password combinations, while password spraying attacks try a small number of commonly used passwords across a large number of accounts.
• Both types of attacks can lead to unauthorized access to user accounts and sensitive information, but credential stuffing is more targeted and relies on stolen credentials, while password spraying is more opportunistic and focuses on weak passwords.
• Users can protect against both types of attacks by using strong, unique passwords for each online account and enabling two-factor authentication whenever possible.
• Organizations can prevent both credential stuffing and password spraying attacks by implementing security measures such as rate limiting, CAPTCHA challenges, password complexity requirements, and monitoring for unusual login activity.