# T1187 Forced Authentication

> As of 2026-10-05, T1187 (Forced Authentication) appears in 68 tracked threats, first reported 2026-02-02 and most recently 2026-09-22, with linked actors including APT28, Forest Blizzard, APT29; it most often appears alongside T1027 (Obfuscated Files or Information).

- **Tracked threats:** 68 (21 critical, 43 high, 4 medium)
- **First seen:** 2026-02-02
- **Last seen:** 2026-09-22
- **Threat actors:** 41
- **Detection rules:** 84 (counts only; Blue tier and above)

## Key facts

- **ID:** T1187
- **Framework:** MITRE ATT&CK
- **Tactics:** Credential Access
- **Matrix:** Enterprise
- **Data as of:** 2026-10-05
- **MITRE:** https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1187/

## Activity timeline

T1187 first appeared in tracked threats on 2026-02-02 and was most recently reported on 2026-09-22. The busiest month was 2026-07 with 22 reports, and 68 of the 68 threats were reported in the twelve months to 2026-09.

## How adversaries use it

T1187 Forced Authentication is catalogued by MITRE ATT&CK under the Credential Access tactic in the Enterprise matrix. Threadlinqs maps 68 of 2623 tracked threats (2.6%) to it; by severity that is 21 critical, 43 high, 4 medium.

Threats that use T1187 most often also use [T1027 Obfuscated Files or Information](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/technique/T1027) (34 threats), [T1005 Data from Local System](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/technique/T1005) (32 threats), [T1036 Masquerading](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/technique/T1036) (31 threats), [T1041 Exfiltration Over C2 Channel](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/technique/T1041) (29 threats), [T1566 Phishing](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/technique/T1566) (29 threats). These are the techniques an intrusion set tends to chain with it, so they are the natural next places to look when it is observed.

41 tracked threat actors appear in the threats that use T1187; the most frequent are [APT28](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/APT28) (5), [Forest Blizzard](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/Forest%20Blizzard) (4), [APT29](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/APT29) (3), [BlueDelta](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/BlueDelta) (3), [EvilTokens](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/EvilTokens) (3).

## Mitigations

MITRE ATT&CK lists 2 mitigations for T1187.

- [M1027 Password Policies](https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M1027/)
- [M1037 Filter Network Traffic](https://attack.mitre.org/mitigations/M1037/)

## Data sources

Telemetry that can reveal T1187, per MITRE ATT&CK.

- File — File Access, File Creation, File Modification
- Network Traffic — Network Traffic Content, Network Traffic Flow

## Threat actors using it

- [APT28](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/APT28) — 5
- [Forest Blizzard](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/Forest%20Blizzard) — 4
- [APT29](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/APT29) — 3
- [BlueDelta](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/BlueDelta) — 3
- [EvilTokens](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/EvilTokens) — 3
- [Sandworm](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/Sandworm) — 3
- [APT36](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/APT36) — 2
- [ClickLock Dev](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/ClickLock%20Dev) — 2
- [FSB Center 16](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/FSB%20Center%2016) — 2
- [Midnight Blizzard](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/Midnight%20Blizzard) — 2
- [ShinyHunters](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/ShinyHunters) — 2
- [Static Tundra](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/actor/Static%20Tundra) — 2

## Tracked threats

The 30 most recent of 68 tracked threats that use T1187.

- [ShinyHunters Claims FBI Breach via Unpatched Oracle PeopleSoft Zero-Day, Threatens 2-3TB of PII/PHI Leak](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2620) — critical — 2026-09-22
- [Microsoft-Led Coalition Takes Down EvilTokens AI-Powered Phishing-as-a-Service Platform (Storm-2992)](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2614) — high — 2026-09-22
- [Device Code Phishing Surge: Tycoon2FA, EvilTokens, Kali365, Ghost Hub, and Cyb3r Add MFA-Bypass Capability](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2468) — high — 2026-09-12
- [Midnight Blizzard (GTG-20006) Used Claude AI Agents to Automate Malware Evasion, Hijack Hotel Wi-Fi…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2446) — high — 2026-09-11
- ["Spring Ring" Vishing Campaign Abuses Microsoft Teams, Quick Assist, and PetitPotam for NTLM Relay](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2276) — high — 2026-09-01
- [Aurora Ransomware Actors Abuse Cursor Agent AI Coding Tool for Post-Compromise Exploitation Against ESXi and…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2243) — high — 2026-08-30
- [Russia (GRU Unit 26165 / APT28) Runs Multi-Vector Surveillance, Intimidation, Sabotage and Cyber Espionage…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2031) — high — 2026-08-16
- [Top Phishing-Kit Platforms Driving AiTM Session-Theft and MFA-Bypass Campaigns (SOCRadar, Aug 2026)](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-2024) — high — 2026-08-15
- [WSUS NTLM Relay Attack Chain Enables Malicious Update Deployment via SUSDB Stored Procedures](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1966) — high — 2026-08-10
- [Microsoft 365 AitM Phishing Campaign Hijacks Sessions via Residential Proxies to Harvest Payroll and Finance…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1930) — high — 2026-08-07
- [CaptiveCrunch: Storm-2945 (Midnight Blizzard sub-cluster) Hijacks Hotel Wi-Fi Captive Portals to Deliver…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1808) — high — 2026-07-31
- [CVE-2026-6516: Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution in ManageEngine ADAudit Plus (CVSS 10.0)](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1756) — critical — 2026-07-29
- [CVE-2026-54121 ("Certighost"): Low-Privileged AD CS Enrollment Flaw Enables Domain Controller Impersonation](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1675) — critical — 2026-07-24
- [Oracle Hospitality Simphony Vulnerabilities: NTLM Hash Disclosure, Arbitrary File Write, and Kiosk…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1638) — critical — 2026-07-22
- [Exposed Server Reveals AI-Assisted WebDAV Phishing Kit Targeting Mexican Users (CVE-2025-33053)](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1566) — high — 2026-07-20
- [OtterCandy (js.ottercandy) Node.js RAT/Stealer — WaterPlum's Polymarket-Themed ClickFake Interview Campaign…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1441) — high — 2026-07-17
- [ClickLock Stealer: macOS ClickFix Infostealer Uses 210ms Process-Kill Loops and Fake Authentication Dialogs…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1440) — high — 2026-07-17
- [macOS Info-Stealer Chains Fake Password Prompt, Telegram Session Theft, and Crypto Wallet App Replacement](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1494) — high — 2026-07-16
- [macOS Infostealer Hijacks Telegram Desktop Sessions via tdata Theft to Bypass 2FA, Harvests Keychain…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1424) — high — 2026-07-16
- [Kratos Phishing-as-a-Service Platform Targeting Microsoft 365 Users Across US and Europe](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1408) — high — 2026-07-16
- [ClickLock Stealer: ClickFix-Delivered macOS Infostealer with GSocket Reverse-Shell Backdoor](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1402) — high — 2026-07-16
- [June 2026 Infostealer Campaign Trends: Remus, ACRStealer, LummaC2, Vidar Distributed via SEO Poisoning and…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1353) — medium — 2026-07-15
- [CrashStealer: Native C++ macOS Infostealer Impersonating Apple's CrashReporter, Delivered via Notarized…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1270) — high — 2026-07-13
- [Multi-Actor Espionage Campaign Weaponizes Balochistan Police Complaint Management Portal (PlugX, ShadowPad…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1239) — high — 2026-07-11
- [EvilTokens Phishing-as-a-Service Kit Abuses Microsoft Device Code Authentication with AES-GCM "Ghost Code"…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1201) — high — 2026-07-11
- [GNU Guix 'guix substitute' and 'guix pull' Vulnerabilities Enable Arbitrary File Write, Metadata Spoofing…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1179) — high — 2026-07-10
- [Cavern Manticore: Iran-Linked Modular .NET C2 Framework Targeting Israeli Government and IT Sectors via…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1137) — high — 2026-07-06
- [PamStealer: Rust-Based macOS Infostealer Masquerades as Maccy Clipboard Manager, Validates Stolen Passwords…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1104) — high — 2026-07-05
- [Oracle PeopleSoft PeopleTools Pre-Auth RCE Zero-Day (CVE-2026-35273) Exploited by ShinyHunters (UNC6240)](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1094) — critical — 2026-07-03
- [FortiBleed Credential Theft Campaign: FortigateSniffer Tool Deployed Against 430,000+ FortiGate Firewalls…](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/threat/TL-2026-1124) — critical — 2026-07-01

## Related CVEs

CVEs referenced by the tracked threats that use T1187, most frequent first.

- [CVE-2020-12641](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2020-12641)
- [CVE-2020-35730](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2020-35730)
- [CVE-2021-44026](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2021-44026)
- [CVE-2023-23397](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2023-23397)
- [CVE-2023-38831](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2023-38831)
- [CVE-2025-27152](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-27152)
- [CVE-2025-33073](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-33073)
- [CVE-2026-21509](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2026-21509)
- [CVE-2026-21513](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2026-21513)
- [CVE-2026-32202](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2026-32202)
- [CVE-2026-35273](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2026-35273)
- [CVE-2016-5195](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2016-5195)
- [CVE-2017-6742](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2017-6742)
- [CVE-2021-26855](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2021-26855)
- [CVE-2021-4034](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2021-4034)
- [CVE-2022-40684](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2022-40684)
- [CVE-2023-27997](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2023-27997)
- [CVE-2023-43770](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2023-43770)
- [CVE-2024-11182](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-11182)
- [CVE-2024-21762](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-21762)
- [CVE-2024-2617](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-2617)
- [CVE-2024-27443](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-27443)
- [CVE-2024-43451](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-43451)
- [CVE-2024-55591](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2024-55591)
- [CVE-2025-20333](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-20333)
- [CVE-2025-20362](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-20362)
- [CVE-2025-24054](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-24054)
- [CVE-2025-32433](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-32433)
- [CVE-2025-33053](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-33053)
- [CVE-2025-53521](https://intel.threadlinqs.com/cve/CVE-2025-53521)

## Detection coverage

Threadlinqs maintains 84 detection rules mapped to T1187 (SPL 34, KQL 26, Sigma 24). Rule content is available to Blue tier accounts and above; this page shows counts only.

84 detection rules (SPL/KQL/Sigma), Blue and above: https://threadlinqs.com/pricing

## Links

- Canonical page: https://intel.threadlinqs.com/technique/T1187
- All techniques: https://intel.threadlinqs.com/techniques
- Full detection coverage and IOCs: https://intel.threadlinqs.com/mcp (Purple tier)