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UpdateLoginProfile

AWS

UpdateLoginProfile

service: AWS - IAM
techniques:

Event

Updates the console login password for an IAM user.

Security Context

  • Account manipulation is a primary persistence technique, allowing adversaries to maintain access through modified permissions or credentials.
  • Credential harvesting enables adversaries to expand their access by obtaining authentication material for additional services and accounts.
  • Actions that disrupt cloud services can have cascading effects on dependent systems and business operations.

Log Source

CloudTrail

Sample Event

Adversarial. Draco resets Hermione’s console password. He sets PasswordResetRequired: false so the password is usable immediately (no on-next-login prompt). Hermione’s MFA is still attached to her user — but if Draco can disable her MFA via DeactivateMFADevice (separate event), he has full console access in her name. T1098 + T1531 (account access removal — for the legitimate user) + T1098 (account manipulation — for the adversary).

{
"eventVersion": "1.09",
"userIdentity": {
"type": "IAMUser",
"principalId": "AIDADRAC0MALF0YBADGY",
"arn": "arn:aws:iam::555123456789:user/draco",
"accountId": "555123456789",
"accessKeyId": "AKIADRAC0MALF0YEXAMP5",
"userName": "draco",
"sessionContext": {
"attributes": {
"creationDate": "2026-04-15T18:51:02Z",
"mfaAuthenticated": "false"
}
}
},
"eventTime": "2026-04-15T21:54:42Z",
"eventSource": "iam.amazonaws.com",
"eventName": "UpdateLoginProfile",
"awsRegion": "us-east-1",
"sourceIPAddress": "203.0.113.66",
"userAgent": "aws-cli/1.18.147 Python/3.7.10 Linux/5.4.0-1045-aws botocore/1.18.6",
"requestParameters": {
"userName": "hermione",
"passwordResetRequired": false
},
"responseElements": null,
"requestID": "90000000-0000-4000-8000-000111010000",
"eventID": "90000000-0000-4000-8000-000111010001",
"readOnly": false,
"eventType": "AwsApiCall",
"managementEvent": true,
"recipientAccountId": "555123456789",
"eventCategory": "Management",
"tlsDetails": {
"tlsVersion": "TLSv1.3",
"cipherSuite": "TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256",
"clientProvidedHostHeader": "iam.amazonaws.com"
}
}

MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

Tactics: Persistence Impact Credential Access

Techniques:
  • T1098 — Account Manipulation — Adversaries may manipulate accounts to maintain and/or elevate access to victim systems. Account manipulation may consist of any action that preserves or modifies adversary access to a compromised account, such as modifying credentials or permission groups. These actions could also include accoun...
  • T1531 — Account Access Removal — Adversaries may interrupt availability of system and network resources by inhibiting access to accounts utilized by legitimate users. Accounts may be deleted, locked, or manipulated (ex: changed credentials, revoked permissions for SaaS platforms such as Sharepoint) to remove access to accounts....