H3XAOperational intelligence
Live analytical pictureEvidence before assessment
Threat intelligence / Technique

Private Keys

Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials. Private cryptographic keys and certificates are used for authentication, encryption/decryption, and digital signatures.(Citation: Wikipedia Public Key Crypto) Common key and certificate file extensions include: .key, .pgp, .gpg, .ppk., .p12, .pem, .pfx, .cer, .p7b, .asc. Adversaries may also look in common key directories, such as ~/.ssh for SSH keys on * nix-based systems or C:\Users\(username)\.ssh\ on Windows. Adversary tools may also search compromised systems for file extensions relating to cryptographic keys and certificates.(Citation: Kaspersky Careto)(Citation: Palo Alto Prince of Persia) When a device is registered to Entra ID, a device key and a transport key are generated and used to verify the device’s identity.(Citation: Microsoft Primary Refresh Token) An adversary with access to the device may be able to export the keys in order to impersonate the device.(Citation: AADInternals Azure AD Device Identities) On network devices, private keys may be exported via [Network Device CLI](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/008) commands such as `crypto pki export`.(Citation: cisco_deploy_rsa_keys) Some private keys require a password or passphrase for operation, so an adversary may also use [Input Capture](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1056) for keylogging or attempt to [Brute Force](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1110) the passphrase off-line. These private keys can be used to authenticate to [Remote Services](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021) like SSH or for use in decrypting other collected files such as email.

Technique
TypeTechnique
External ID—
First seen2026-08-14
Last seen2026-08-14

Confidence

—

Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials. Private cryptographic keys and certificates are used for authentication, encryption/decryption, and digital signatures.(Citation: Wikipedia Public Key Crypto) Common key and certificate file extensions include: .key, .pgp, .gpg, .ppk., .p12, .pem, .pfx, .cer, .p7b, .asc. Adversaries may also look in common key directories, such as ~/.ssh for SSH keys on * nix-based systems or C:\Users\(username)\.ssh\ on Windows. Adversary tools may also search compromised systems for file extensions relating to cryptographic keys and certificates.(Citation: Kaspersky Careto)(Citation: Palo Alto Prince of Persia) When a device is registered to Entra ID, a device key and a transport key are generated and used to verify the device’s identity.(Citation: Microsoft Primary Refresh Token) An adversary with access to the device may be able to export the keys in order to impersonate the device.(Citation: AADInternals Azure AD Device Identities) On network devices, private keys may be exported via [Network Device CLI](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1059/008) commands such as `crypto pki export`.(Citation: cisco_deploy_rsa_keys) Some private keys require a password or passphrase for operation, so an adversary may also use [Input Capture](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1056) for keylogging or attempt to [Brute Force](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1110) the passphrase off-line. These private keys can be used to authenticate to [Remote Services](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1021) like SSH or for use in decrypting other collected files such as email.

33 recorded

Relationships

mapped-to
from Probe System Files
Technique
mapped-to
from Retrieve Embedded Sensitive Data
Technique
mapped-to
from Signature Spoofing by Key Recreation
Technique
mapped-to
from Signature Spoofing by Key Theft
Technique
mitigates
from Audit
Mitigation
mitigates
from Encrypt Sensitive Information
Mitigation
mitigates
from Password Policies
Mitigation
mitigates
from Restrict File and Directory Permissions
Mitigation
revoked-by
from Private Keys
Technique
subtechnique-of
to Unsecured Credentials
Technique
uses
from AADInternals
Tool
uses
from CanisterWorm
Malware
uses
from Ebury
Malware
uses
from Empire
Tool
uses
from FoggyWeb
Malware
uses
from Hildegard
Malware
uses
from jRAT
Malware
uses
from Kimsuky
Group
uses
from Kinsing
Malware
uses
from Machete
Malware
uses
from Mafalda
Malware
uses
from Mimikatz
Tool
uses
from Mini Shai-Hulud
Malware
uses
from Operation Wocao
Campaign
uses
from Rocke
Group
uses
from Scattered Spider
Group
uses
from SolarWinds Compromise
Campaign
uses
from Storm-0501
Group
uses
from TeamPCP
Group
uses
from TeamPCP Cloud Stealer
Malware
uses
from TeamTNT
Group
uses
from Troll Stealer
Malware
uses
from Volt Typhoon
Group
7 external

References

mitre-attack
T1552.004
open
Palo Alto Prince of Persia
https://researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/2016/06/unit42-prince-of-persia-game-over/
open
cisco_deploy_rsa_keys
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/sec_conn_pki/configuration/xe-17/sec-pki-xe-17-book/sec-deploy-rsa-pki.html#GUID-1CB802D8-9DE3-447F-BECE-CF22F5E11436
open
AADInternals Azure AD Device Identities
https://aadinternals.com/post/deviceidentity/
open
Kaspersky Careto
https://web.archive.org/web/20141031134104/http://kasperskycontenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/vlpdfs/unveilingthemask_v1.0.pdf
open
Microsoft Primary Refresh Token
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/devices/concept-primary-refresh-token
open
Wikipedia Public Key Crypto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography
open
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