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A New Era of Cybercrime
Cybercriminals have turned password theft into a thriving industry, with malware targeting credential stores skyrocketing from 8% of samples in 2023 to 25% in 2024—a staggering threefold increase.
These findings, highlighted in the Red Report 2025 by Picus Labs, reveal how modern attackers are refining their tactics to conduct “perfect heists.” The report, based on an analysis of over 1 million malware samples, shows that hackers are leveraging stealth, automation, and persistence to infiltrate networks and exfiltrate sensitive data—all without detection.
While AI-driven cyber threats often dominate headlines, the study debunks the myth that artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing cybercrime. Instead, hackers continue to rely on tried-and-true techniques, emphasizing the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures.
The Credentials Under Siege: A 3× Surge in Theft Attempts
For the first time, credential theft from password stores (MITRE ATT&CK technique T1555) has become one of the top 10 most-used attack methods. Threat actors are aggressively targeting:
– Password managers
– Browser-stored credentials
– Cached authentication tokens
By stealing login information, attackers gain unauthorized access to critical systems, allowing them to escalate privileges and move laterally across networks. This makes credential theft one of the most lucrative stages in the cyber kill chain.
The Top 10 ATT&CK Techniques: 93% of Attacks Follow a Core Playbook
Despite the vast array of hacking techniques available, 93% of malware samples analyzed in 2024 relied on just 10 core MITRE ATT&CK methods. This concentration highlights that cybercriminals are using a refined, effective playbook rather than inventing new attack styles.
Key techniques include:
- Process injection (T1055): Injecting malicious code into legitimate processes (seen in 31% of malware samples).
- Command and scripting interpreter (T1059): Abusing built-in scripting tools (e.g., PowerShell, Bash) to execute malicious commands undetected.
- Credential theft from password stores (T1555): A significant rise in stealing stored passwords, making it one of the most exploited methods in 2024.
This reliance on a few core methods makes defense strategies more predictable—organizations that proactively secure against these top 10 techniques significantly reduce their risk exposure.
The “Perfect Heist”: The Rise of SneakThief Infostealers
The Red Report 2025 introduces the term “SneakThief” to describe a new generation of information-stealing malware that operates like a carefully planned heist. These cybercriminals use multi-stage attack methods to infiltrate, remain undetected, and extract valuable data.
Common SneakThief tactics include:
- Stealth: Blending into legitimate network traffic to avoid detection.
– Automation: Speeding up data collection and exfiltration.
- Persistence: Leveraging autorun techniques to survive reboots and maintain access.
In some cases, attackers combine infostealing with ransomware tactics—instead of encrypting data immediately, they first exfiltrate sensitive files. This hybrid approach allows cybercriminals to extort victims twice: first by stealing their data, and then by threatening encryption or exposure.
AI Threats: More Hype Than Reality
Despite concerns about AI-powered cyber threats, the Red Report 2025 found no evidence of novel AI-driven malware being deployed in real-world attacks. While hackers use AI for efficiency (e.g., automating phishing emails or debugging code), it has not fundamentally changed cyber attack methods.
Key takeaways:
- AI enhances productivity for attackers but does not introduce new, autonomous malware threats.
- Traditional hacking techniques—credential theft, process injection, scripting abuse—remain the dominant tools of cybercriminals.
- Defenders should focus on known threats rather than speculative AI-based attacks.
Staying Ahead of Cybercriminals: A Proactive Defense Strategy
The findings from the Red Report 2025 underscore a critical message: organizations must adopt a proactive, threat-informed defense strategy to stay ahead of modern cyber threats.
Key defensive measures include:
- Security validation: Continuously testing defenses against the top 10 ATT&CK techniques.
- Breach and attack simulation: Emulating real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities before hackers do.
- Threat hunting: Actively searching for hidden threats within networks.
- Incident response readiness: Aligning security teams with the most prevalent attack techniques.
By implementing these strategies, organizations can prevent cyber heists before they happen rather than reacting after the damage is done.
What Undercode Say: A Deeper Analysis of Cyber Threat Trends
- Credential Theft Is Now a Primary Attack Vector
The surge in credential theft highlights a fundamental shift in cybercriminal strategy. Instead of relying on brute-force attacks or exploiting software vulnerabilities, attackers are focusing on stealing passwords that grant direct access to critical systems. This method is low-risk and high-reward, making it a top priority for hackers in 2024. -
Attackers Are Optimizing Efficiency, Not Reinventing the Wheel
The fact that 93% of attacks rely on just 10 techniques suggests that cybercriminals prioritize efficiency over innovation. Rather than developing new hacking methods, they refine existing tactics to bypass security controls. This is why defensive strategies must focus on mastering these core techniques rather than chasing every emerging threat. -
AI Is a Tool, Not a Game-Changer for Hackers (Yet)
While AI improves cybercriminal efficiency, it has not introduced autonomous, AI-generated malware. Many security professionals fear AI-powered attacks, but the real threats remain human-driven techniques like credential theft and process injection.
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References:
Reported By: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/red-report-2025-unmasking-a-3x-spike-in-credential-theft-and-debunking-the-ai-hype/
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