Security News > 2022 > February > Microsoft is making it harder to steal Windows passwords from memory

Microsoft is enabling a Microsoft Defender 'Attack Surface Reduction' security rule by default to block hackers' attempts to steal Windows credentials from the LSASS process.

One of the most common methods to steal Windows credentials is to gain admin privileges on a compromised device and then dump the memory of the Local Security Authority Server Service process running in Windows.

While Microsoft Defender block programs like Mimikatz, a LSASS memory dump can still be transferred to a remote computer to dump credentials without fear of being blocked.

To prevent threat actors from abusing LSASS memory dumps, Microsoft has introduced security features that prevent access to the LSASS process.

As a way to mitigate Windows credential theft without causing the conflicts introduced by Credential Guard, Microsoft will soon be enabling a Microsoft Defender Attack Surface Reduction rule by default.

Even with all of these issues, Delpy sees this change as a major step forward by Microsoft and believes it will significantly impact a threat actor's ability to steal Windows credentials.

News URL

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-is-making-it-harder-to-steal-windows-passwords-from-memory/