Common Weakness Enumeration

CWE-522

Allowed-with-Review

Insufficiently Protected Credentials

Abstraction: Class · Status: Incomplete

The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.

1820 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.

GHSA-37CF-R3W2-GJFW

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2020-06-05 16:09 – Updated: 2024-09-16 22:30
VLAI
Summary
django-nopassword stores secrets in cleartext
Details

django-nopassword before 5.0.0 stores cleartext secrets in the database.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "PyPI",
        "name": "django-nopassword"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "5.0.0"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2019-10682"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-312",
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2020-06-04T18:34:53Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-03-18T15:15:00Z",
    "severity": "HIGH"
  },
  "details": "django-nopassword before 5.0.0 stores cleartext secrets in the database.",
  "id": "GHSA-37cf-r3w2-gjfw",
  "modified": "2024-09-16T22:30:29Z",
  "published": "2020-06-05T16:09:19Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-10682"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/relekang/django-nopassword/commit/d8b4615f5fbfe3997d96cf4cb3e342406396193c"
    },
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-37cf-r3w2-gjfw"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/django-nopassword/PYSEC-2020-229.yaml"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/relekang/django-nopassword"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/relekang/django-nopassword/blob/8e8cfc765ee00adfed120c2c79bf71ef856e9022/nopassword/models.py#L14"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/relekang/django-nopassword/compare/v4.0.1...v5.0.0"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    },
    {
      "score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V4"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "django-nopassword stores secrets in cleartext "
}

GHSA-37VQ-VV4Q-WW53

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:36 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:36
VLAI
Details

AdRem NetCrunch 10.6.0.4587 has Improper Credential Storage since the internal user database is readable by low-privileged users and passwords in the database are weakly encoded or encrypted.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2019-14477"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-12-16T16:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "AdRem NetCrunch 10.6.0.4587 has Improper Credential Storage since the internal user database is readable by low-privileged users and passwords in the database are weakly encoded or encrypted.",
  "id": "GHSA-37vq-vv4q-ww53",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:36:38Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:36:38Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-14477"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://compass-security.com/fileadmin/Research/Advisories/2020-11_CSNC-2019-012_AdRem_NetCrunch_Improper_Credential_Storage.txt"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.adremsoft.com/support"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-37X4-RHQ4-F92V

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:31 – Updated: 2022-05-13 01:31
VLAI
Details

Echelon SmartServer 1 all versions, SmartServer 2 all versions prior to release 4.11.007, i.LON 100 all versions, and i.LON 600 all versions. The devices store passwords in plaintext, which may allow an attacker with access to the configuration file to log into the SmartServer web user interface.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2018-8851"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-256",
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2018-07-24T17:29:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "Echelon SmartServer 1 all versions, SmartServer 2 all versions prior to release 4.11.007, i.LON 100 all versions, and i.LON 600 all versions. The devices store passwords in plaintext, which may allow an attacker with access to the configuration file to log into the SmartServer web user interface.",
  "id": "GHSA-37x4-rhq4-f92v",
  "modified": "2022-05-13T01:31:47Z",
  "published": "2022-05-13T01:31:47Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-8851"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-200-03"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-37X5-Q2M2-89Q6

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-11-25 00:30 – Updated: 2022-11-28 21:30
VLAI
Details

Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation GX Works3 versions 1.015R and later allows a remote unauthorized attacker to disclose sensitive information. As a result, unauthorized users could access to MELSEC safety CPU modules illgally.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2022-29833"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-11-25T00:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in Mitsubishi Electric Corporation GX Works3 versions 1.015R and later allows a remote unauthorized attacker to disclose sensitive information. As a result, unauthorized users could access to MELSEC safety CPU modules illgally.",
  "id": "GHSA-37x5-q2m2-89q6",
  "modified": "2022-11-28T21:30:22Z",
  "published": "2022-11-25T00:30:58Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-29833"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://jvn.jp/vu/JVNVU97244961"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/advisories/icsa-22-333-05"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/psirt/vulnerability/pdf/2022-015_en.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-38XM-XHVJ-Q2QF

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-13 01:48 – Updated: 2023-12-28 18:43
VLAI
Summary
Jenkins Credentials Binding Plugin has Insufficiently Protected Credentials
Details

Jenkins Credentials Binding plugin allows specifying passwords and other secrets as environment variables, and will hide them from console output in builds.

However, since Jenkins will try to resolve references to other environment variables in environment variables passed to a build, this can result in values other than the one specified being provided to a build. For example, the value p4$$w0rd would result in Jenkins passing on p4$w0rd, as $$ is the escape sequence for a single $.

Credentials Binding plugin does not prevent such a transformed value (e.g. p4$w0rd) from being shown on the build log, allowing users to reconstruct the actual password value from the transformed one.

Credentials Binding plugin will now escape any $ characters in password values so they are correctly passed to the build.

This issue did apply to freestyle and other classic job types, but does not apply to Pipelines.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [
    {
      "package": {
        "ecosystem": "Maven",
        "name": "org.jenkins-ci.plugins:credentials-binding"
      },
      "ranges": [
        {
          "events": [
            {
              "introduced": "0"
            },
            {
              "fixed": "1.15"
            }
          ],
          "type": "ECOSYSTEM"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2018-1000057"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": true,
    "github_reviewed_at": "2023-12-28T18:43:13Z",
    "nvd_published_at": "2018-02-09T23:29:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Jenkins Credentials Binding plugin allows specifying passwords and other secrets as environment variables, and will hide them from console output in builds.\n\nHowever, since Jenkins will try to resolve references to other environment variables in environment variables passed to a build, this can result in values other than the one specified being provided to a build. For example, the value `p4$$w0rd` would result in Jenkins passing on `p4$w0rd`, as `$$` is the escape sequence for a single `$`.\n\nCredentials Binding plugin does not prevent such a transformed value (e.g. `p4$w0rd`) from being shown on the build log, allowing users to reconstruct the actual password value from the transformed one.\n\nCredentials Binding plugin will now escape any `$` characters in password values so they are correctly passed to the build.\n\nThis issue did apply to freestyle and other classic job types, but does not apply to Pipelines.",
  "id": "GHSA-38xm-xhvj-q2qf",
  "modified": "2023-12-28T18:43:13Z",
  "published": "2022-05-13T01:48:30Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1000057"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/jenkinsci/credentials-binding-plugin/commit/0c75238933365aa52b26b7c73fd1f742bfaca9b1"
    },
    {
      "type": "PACKAGE",
      "url": "https://github.com/jenkinsci/credentials-binding-plugin"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://jenkins.io/security/advisory/2018-02-05"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ],
  "summary": "Jenkins Credentials Binding Plugin has Insufficiently Protected Credentials"
}

GHSA-3926-52RM-J54Q

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-01-22 00:00 – Updated: 2022-08-31 00:00
VLAI
Details

The web application on Agilia Link+ version 3.0 implements authentication and session management mechanisms exclusively on the client-side and does not protect authentication attributes sufficiently.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2021-23196"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-287",
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2022-01-21T19:15:00Z",
    "severity": "CRITICAL"
  },
  "details": "The web application on Agilia Link+ version 3.0 implements authentication and session management mechanisms exclusively on the client-side and does not protect authentication attributes sufficiently.",
  "id": "GHSA-3926-52rm-j54q",
  "modified": "2022-08-31T00:00:20Z",
  "published": "2022-01-22T00:00:36Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-23196"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/advisories/icsma-21-355-01"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-39R5-2X63-HPQ5

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-07-01 18:32 – Updated: 2024-07-01 18:32
VLAI
Details

In JetBrains TeamCity before 2024.03.3 private key could be exposed via testing GitHub App Connection

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2024-39878"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2024-07-01T17:15:09Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "In JetBrains TeamCity before 2024.03.3 private key could be exposed via testing GitHub App Connection",
  "id": "GHSA-39r5-2x63-hpq5",
  "modified": "2024-07-01T18:32:42Z",
  "published": "2024-07-01T18:32:41Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-39878"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://www.jetbrains.com/privacy-security/issues-fixed"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-39R5-V68G-9X33

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:27 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:27
VLAI
Details

A ZTE product is impacted by the cryptographic issues vulnerability. The encryption algorithm is not properly used, so remote attackers could use this vulnerability for account credential enumeration attack or brute-force attack for password guessing. This affects: ZXIPTV, ZXIPTV-WEB-PV5.09.08.04.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-6874"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2020-09-01T21:15:00Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "A ZTE product is impacted by the cryptographic issues vulnerability. The encryption algorithm is not properly used, so remote attackers could use this vulnerability for account credential enumeration attack or brute-force attack for password guessing. This affects: ZXIPTV, ZXIPTV-WEB-PV5.09.08.04.",
  "id": "GHSA-39r5-v68g-9x33",
  "modified": "2022-05-24T17:27:12Z",
  "published": "2022-05-24T17:27:12Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-6874"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://support.zte.com.cn/support/news/LoopholeInfoDetail.aspx?newsId=1013463"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": []
}

GHSA-39VR-M637-4V3H

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-10-26 15:30 – Updated: 2023-11-16 15:30
VLAI
Details

Incorrect LDAP ACLs in ucs-school-ldap-acls-master in UCS@school before 4.4v5-errata allow remote teachers, staff, and school administrators to read LDAP password hashes (sambaNTPassword, krb5Key, sambaPasswordHistory, and pwhistory) via LDAP search requests. For example, a teacher can gain administrator access via an NTLM hash.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2020-17477"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2023-10-26T13:15:09Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "Incorrect LDAP ACLs in ucs-school-ldap-acls-master in UCS@school before 4.4v5-errata allow remote teachers, staff, and school administrators to read LDAP password hashes (sambaNTPassword, krb5Key, sambaPasswordHistory, and pwhistory) via LDAP search requests. For example, a teacher can gain administrator access via an NTLM hash.",
  "id": "GHSA-39vr-m637-4v3h",
  "modified": "2023-11-16T15:30:20Z",
  "published": "2023-10-26T15:30:27Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-17477"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://forge.univention.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=50669"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

GHSA-39WP-J2GG-H44J

Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-05-12 15:31 – Updated: 2026-05-19 18:32
VLAI
Details

LWP::UserAgent versions before 6.83 for Perl leak Authorization and Proxy-Authorization headers on cross-origin redirects.

On a 3xx response, the redirect handler strips only Host and Cookie before issuing the follow-up request. Caller-supplied Authorization and Proxy-Authorization headers are sent unchanged to the redirect target, including across scheme, host, or port changes.

A redirect to an attacker controlled host therefore discloses the caller's credentials to that host.

Show details on source website

{
  "affected": [],
  "aliases": [
    "CVE-2026-8368"
  ],
  "database_specific": {
    "cwe_ids": [
      "CWE-522"
    ],
    "github_reviewed": false,
    "github_reviewed_at": null,
    "nvd_published_at": "2026-05-12T15:16:19Z",
    "severity": "MODERATE"
  },
  "details": "LWP::UserAgent versions before 6.83 for Perl leak Authorization and Proxy-Authorization headers on cross-origin redirects.\n\nOn a 3xx response, the redirect handler strips only Host and Cookie before issuing the follow-up request. Caller-supplied Authorization and Proxy-Authorization headers are sent unchanged to the redirect target, including across scheme, host, or port changes.\n\nA redirect to an attacker controlled host therefore discloses the caller\u0027s credentials to that host.",
  "id": "GHSA-39wp-j2gg-h44j",
  "modified": "2026-05-19T18:32:07Z",
  "published": "2026-05-12T15:31:41Z",
  "references": [
    {
      "type": "ADVISORY",
      "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-8368"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/libwww-perl/libwww-perl/pull/284"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/libwww-perl/libwww-perl/pull/512"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://github.com/libwww-perl/libwww-perl/commit/9c4aeb6f2dd32f2b7eaf2d7827cade31ea6cb2c6.patch"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "https://metacpan.org/release/OALDERS/libwww-perl-6.83/changes"
    },
    {
      "type": "WEB",
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/12/7"
    }
  ],
  "schema_version": "1.4.0",
  "severity": [
    {
      "score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N",
      "type": "CVSS_V3"
    }
  ]
}

Mitigation
Architecture and Design

Use an appropriate security mechanism to protect the credentials.

Mitigation
Architecture and Design

Make appropriate use of cryptography to protect the credentials.

Mitigation
Implementation

Use industry standards to protect the credentials (e.g. LDAP, keystore, etc.).

CAPEC-102: Session Sidejacking

Session sidejacking takes advantage of an unencrypted communication channel between a victim and target system. The attacker sniffs traffic on a network looking for session tokens in unencrypted traffic. Once a session token is captured, the attacker performs malicious actions by using the stolen token with the targeted application to impersonate the victim. This attack is a specific method of session hijacking, which is exploiting a valid session token to gain unauthorized access to a target system or information. Other methods to perform a session hijacking are session fixation, cross-site scripting, or compromising a user or server machine and stealing the session token.

CAPEC-474: Signature Spoofing by Key Theft

An attacker obtains an authoritative or reputable signer's private signature key by theft and then uses this key to forge signatures from the original signer to mislead a victim into performing actions that benefit the attacker.

CAPEC-50: Password Recovery Exploitation

An attacker may take advantage of the application feature to help users recover their forgotten passwords in order to gain access into the system with the same privileges as the original user. Generally password recovery schemes tend to be weak and insecure.

CAPEC-509: Kerberoasting

Through the exploitation of how service accounts leverage Kerberos authentication with Service Principal Names (SPNs), the adversary obtains and subsequently cracks the hashed credentials of a service account target to exploit its privileges. The Kerberos authentication protocol centers around a ticketing system which is used to request/grant access to services and to then access the requested services. As an authenticated user, the adversary may request Active Directory and obtain a service ticket with portions encrypted via RC4 with the private key of the authenticated account. By extracting the local ticket and saving it disk, the adversary can brute force the hashed value to reveal the target account credentials.

CAPEC-551: Modify Existing Service

When an operating system starts, it also starts programs called services or daemons. Modifying existing services may break existing services or may enable services that are disabled/not commonly used.

CAPEC-555: Remote Services with Stolen Credentials

This pattern of attack involves an adversary that uses stolen credentials to leverage remote services such as RDP, telnet, SSH, and VNC to log into a system. Once access is gained, any number of malicious activities could be performed.

CAPEC-560: Use of Known Domain Credentials

An adversary guesses or obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate credentials (e.g. userID/password) to achieve authentication and to perform authorized actions under the guise of an authenticated user or service.

CAPEC-561: Windows Admin Shares with Stolen Credentials

An adversary guesses or obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate Windows administrator credentials (e.g. userID/password) to access Windows Admin Shares on a local machine or within a Windows domain.

CAPEC-600: Credential Stuffing

An adversary tries known username/password combinations against different systems, applications, or services to gain additional authenticated access. Credential Stuffing attacks rely upon the fact that many users leverage the same username/password combination for multiple systems, applications, and services.

CAPEC-644: Use of Captured Hashes (Pass The Hash)

An adversary obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate Windows domain credential hash values to access systems within the domain that leverage the Lan Man (LM) and/or NT Lan Man (NTLM) authentication protocols.

CAPEC-645: Use of Captured Tickets (Pass The Ticket)

An adversary uses stolen Kerberos tickets to access systems/resources that leverage the Kerberos authentication protocol. The Kerberos authentication protocol centers around a ticketing system which is used to request/grant access to services and to then access the requested services. An adversary can obtain any one of these tickets (e.g. Service Ticket, Ticket Granting Ticket, Silver Ticket, or Golden Ticket) to authenticate to a system/resource without needing the account's credentials. Depending on the ticket obtained, the adversary may be able to access a particular resource or generate TGTs for any account within an Active Directory Domain.

CAPEC-652: Use of Known Kerberos Credentials

An adversary obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate Kerberos credentials (e.g. Kerberos service account userID/password or Kerberos Tickets) with the goal of achieving authenticated access to additional systems, applications, or services within the domain.

CAPEC-653: Use of Known Operating System Credentials

An adversary guesses or obtains (i.e. steals or purchases) legitimate operating system credentials (e.g. userID/password) to achieve authentication and to perform authorized actions on the system, under the guise of an authenticated user or service. This applies to any Operating System.