{
  "node_id": "mitre-attack-t1552-004-private-keys",
  "title": "MITRE ATT&CK T1552.004: Private Keys (Enterprise Tactic TA0006 - Credential Access)",
  "domain": "Cybersecurity",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "last_updated": "2026-05-25",
  "bluf": "MITRE ATT&CK T1552.004 (Private Keys) is an Enterprise Credential Access sub-technique of T1552 (Unsecured Credentials). 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. 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. Affected platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows, Network. MITRE-documented mitigations include M1027 Password Policies, M1022 Restrict File and Directory Permissions, M1047 Audit, M1041 Encrypt Sensitive Information. The Center for Threat-Informed Defense maps this technique to NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls AC-02, AC-03, AC-04, AC-05, AC-06, AC-16, AC-17, AC-18.",
  "paywall": {
    "status": "LOCKED",
    "unlock_cost_usd": "0.01",
    "skyfire_id": "41779894-ece2-4163-9761-b3b1b76e19b0"
  },
  "crosswalks": {
    "_available_keys": [
      "nist_framework",
      "iso_standard",
      "industry_mapping",
      "mitre_d3fend"
    ],
    "_note": "Full crosswalk values included in vault response"
  },
  "dependencies": [
    "nist-cybersecurity-framework-2-0",
    "iso-27001-2022",
    "nist-sp-800-53-r5",
    "cis-controls-v8",
    "mitre-attack-t1552-unsecured-credentials"
  ],
  "primary_citations_count": 7
}