Lateral movement refers to the techniques attackers use to move through a network after gaining initial access. Instead of attacking a single machine, they use compromised credentials, exploits, or misconfigurations to pivot between systems and escalate privileges. Their goal is often to access sensitive data, establish long-term persistence, or launch further attacks.
Understanding how attackers move helps security teams implement proactive defenses. Attackers commonly rely on credential theft, weak network segmentation, and remote code execution techniques to navigate within the network. Network observability plays a crucial role in detecting these activities by providing real-time insights into unusual communication patterns and unauthorized access attempts.
How Attackers Move Laterally Through the Network
Attackers employ various tactics to move laterally within a network. Credential theft is a common method, where they steal login credentials through phishing, keyloggers, or malware. With valid credentials, they can access other systems as legitimate users, making detection more difficult.
Weak network segmentation also makes lateral movement easier. In a flat network, where devices communicate freely, attackers can move from one system to another without restriction. If security controls do not properly segment access, the attacker’s reach expands significantly.
Another technique involves abusing authentication mechanisms through pass-the-hash and pass-the-ticket attacks. These allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users without needing their actual passwords. Additionally, attackers use remote code execution and fileless malware to execute malicious actions within a system without leaving traditional traces.
With robust network observability, organizations can detect these threats by monitoring traffic flows and identifying abnormal access patterns that indicate a security breach.
Why Lateral Movement is Dangerous
Lateral movement increases the difficulty of containing breaches because attackers blend in with normal network activity. Unlike direct attacks, lateral movement allows cybercriminals to bypass traditional perimeter defenses, systematically escalating their privileges and accessing critical assets. Once inside, they can deploy ransomware, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations, making detection and response challenging.
Network observability enhances an organization’s ability to track attacker movements in real time. By analyzing east-west traffic, or internal system-to-system communication, security teams can pinpoint suspicious activity before it escalates into a full-scale breach.
How to Detect Lateral Movement
Early detection of lateral movement is crucial for preventing full-scale breaches. Monitoring unusual account activity is one approach, as attackers often use compromised credentials at odd hours or from unfamiliar locations. Frequent failed login attempts or the use of inactive accounts may also indicate unauthorized access attempts.
Analyzing network traffic can reveal anomalies, such as unexpected internal system-to-system communication or irregular data transfers. Network observability tools provide continuous insight into network behavior, helping security teams recognize deviations that could indicate an attack.
Behavior-based monitoring is also effective in identifying lateral movement. Monitoring endpoints can help track privilege escalation attempts, unauthorized access, and suspicious script executions. Combining threat intelligence with AI-driven analysis can further enhance the ability to recognize attacker behavior before damage is done.
Strategies to Prevent Lateral Movement
Preventing lateral movement requires a combination of strong security practices and proactive network management. Network segmentation is one of the most effective defenses, limiting an attacker’s ability to move between systems. A Zero Trust approach ensures that users and devices must continuously verify their identity before accessing resources.
Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds another layer of protection, reducing the risk of credential theft being used for unauthorized access. Strong password policies, combined with regular credential rotation, further minimize the chances of attackers exploiting stolen credentials.
Regular audits help eliminate unused accounts and excessive privileges, reducing potential attack vectors. Limiting admin access to only those who truly need it also helps contain threats. Securing remote access through VPNs, jump servers, and strict access controls ensures that attackers cannot easily exploit exposed network entry points.
By leveraging network observability, security teams can continuously monitor these controls, ensuring that they remain effective in preventing lateral movement. Observability platforms help detect unauthorized access attempts, privilege escalations, and suspicious communications before they lead to major security incidents.
Concluding Thoughts
Lateral movement is one of the most dangerous phases of a cyberattack, allowing attackers to expand their reach within a compromised network. By understanding how attackers move laterally and implementing strong detection and prevention strategies, NetOps and SecOps teams can significantly reduce the risk of large-scale breaches.
Looking to make lateral movement harder in your network? Check out our webinar on verifying network segmentation.
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