The final stage of the Identity Attack Chain where accumulated identity access transforms into operational impact. Unlike traditional attacks relying on malware, modern adversaries execute objectives directly through compromised user, admin, or machine identities.
Attack Execution and Common Objectives
Data Exfiltration
High-value business data extraction through authorized identity access, often targeting sensitive mailboxes, cloud storage at scale, and proprietary intellectual property using legitimate credentials.
Infrastructure Disruption
Operational sabotage through cloud resource deletion, CI/CD pipeline manipulation, control plane permission elevation, and infrastructure shutdown using privileged cloud roles.
Identity Weaponization
Creation of new privileged identities, SaaS application takeover, executive impersonation for fraud, and automated exfiltration through service principals without malware deployment.
In identity-centric attacks, the compromised identity itself becomes the primary weapon. Attackers leverage accumulated permissions to execute extortion preparation, supply chain manipulation, financial fraud, and third-party system pivoting—all through seemingly legitimate authentication.
Detection and Prevention Framework
1
Critical Misconfigurations
MC-062: Excessive Cloud IAM Permissions enable destructive high-impact actions
MC-107: Weak Directory Role Governance allows undetected admin abuse