cmdkey.exe

  • File Path: C:\Windows\system32\cmdkey.exe
  • Description: Credential Manager Command Line Utility

Hashes

Type Hash
MD5 2C6DFF18B542601CC6EF0B64AEC48A95
SHA1 4E4A61B185DC1140FAAFC4E4A37A79AC97D3072E
SHA256 2B9A9B9F93369BF0A4F2616398FB4A20C89567807FBFDDB9AA9257EE7A0CA241
SHA384 3F39A2332323765803A8F143FA373F3C0F94A7067F7CC37D530BE8E0A272455DE5CC2481A6E93134DD324B80745E0E46
SHA512 3B03605F778AD6CEDEED5D830BADD29E46435A56A34847C35EE5E9D0594597310E539C6A5761B2458056901522F14C90088D61E54E86B0BB35F4A5EC2723F83B
SSDEEP 384:Rv3K4N9/4sTPWtvuKlmPiELHONDLXHJqBG3QOdWswW:coQrm6akD7cG3z9
IMP 03AD7A1AF78BF7A500FB199CABE4C34A
PESHA1 836EE25A5A4ED02EBF077CF3522E498A8DC77911
PE256 872F7C28B29DA294985622040522E0660DB7FEB50BB06C138C1B79D9D68250C8

Runtime Data

Usage (stdout):


Creates, displays, and deletes stored user names and passwords.

The syntax of this command is:

CMDKEY [{/add | /generic}:targetname {/smartcard | /user:username {/pass{:password} }} | /delete{:targetname | /ras} | /list{:targetname}]

Examples:

  To list available credentials:
     cmdkey /list
     cmdkey /list:targetname

  To create domain credentials:
     cmdkey /add:targetname /user:username /pass:password
     cmdkey /add:targetname /user:username /pass
     cmdkey /add:targetname /user:username
     cmdkey /add:targetname /smartcard
     
  To create generic credentials:
     The /add switch may be replaced by /generic to create generic credentials

  To delete existing credentials:
     cmdkey /delete:targetname

  To delete RAS credentials:
     cmdkey /delete /ras
     

Signature

  • Status: Signature verified.
  • Serial: 33000001C422B2F79B793DACB20000000001C4
  • Thumbprint: AE9C1AE54763822EEC42474983D8B635116C8452
  • Issuer: CN=Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US
  • Subject: CN=Microsoft Windows, O=Microsoft Corporation, L=Redmond, S=Washington, C=US

File Metadata

  • Original Filename: cmdkey.exe.mui
  • Product Name: Microsoft Windows Operating System
  • Company Name: Microsoft Corporation
  • File Version: 10.0.17763.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
  • Product Version: 10.0.17763.1
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Machine Type: 64-bit

File Scan

  • VirusTotal Detections: 0/70
  • VirusTotal Link: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/2b9a9b9f93369bf0a4f2616398fb4a20c89567807fbfddb9aa9257ee7a0ca241/detection/

File Similarity (ssdeep match)

File Score
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmdkey.exe 66

Possible Misuse

The following table contains possible examples of cmdkey.exe being misused. While cmdkey.exe is not inherently malicious, its legitimate functionality can be abused for malicious purposes.

Source Source File Example License
sigma proc_creation_win_cmdkey_recon.yml title: Cmdkey Cached Credentials Recon DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_cmdkey_recon.yml description: Detects usage of cmdkey to look for cached credentials DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_cmdkey_recon.yml - https://www.peew.pw/blog/2017/11/26/exploring-cmdkey-an-edge-case-for-privilege-escalation DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_cmdkey_recon.yml Image\|endswith: '\cmdkey.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_local_system_owner_account_discovery.yml - Image\|endswith: '\cmdkey.exe' DRL 1.0
sigma proc_creation_win_mstsc.yml Image\|endswith: \cmdkey.exe DRL 1.0
LOLBAS Cmdkey.yml Name: Cmdkey.exe  
LOLBAS Cmdkey.yml - Command: cmdkey /list  
LOLBAS Cmdkey.yml - Path: C:\Windows\System32\cmdkey.exe  
LOLBAS Cmdkey.yml - Path: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cmdkey.exe  
LOLBAS Cmdkey.yml - Link: https://www.peew.pw/blog/2017/11/26/exploring-cmdkey-an-edge-case-for-privilege-escalation  
LOLBAS Cmdkey.yml - Link: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/cmdkey  
atomic-red-team T1021.001.md cmdkey /generic:TERMSRV/$Server /user:$User /pass:$Password MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary
atomic-red-team T1087.001.md cmdkey.exe /list MIT License. © 2018 Red Canary

Additional Info*

*The information below is copied from MicrosoftDocs, which is maintained by Microsoft. Available under CC BY 4.0 license.


cmdkey

Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012

Creates, lists, and deletes stored user names and passwords or credentials.

Syntax

cmdkey [{/add:<targetname>|/generic:<targetname>}] {/smartcard | /user:<username> [/pass:<password>]} [/delete{:<targetname> | /ras}] /list:<targetname>

Parameters

Parameters Description
/add:<targetname> Adds a user name and password to the list.<p>Requires the parameter of <targetname> which identifies the computer or domain name that this entry will be associated with.
/generic:<targetname> Adds generic credentials to the list.<p>Requires the parameter of <targetname> which identifies the computer or domain name that this entry will be associated with.
/smartcard Retrieves the credential from a smart card. If more than one smart card is found on the system when this option is used, cmdkey displays information about all available smart cards, and then prompts the user to specify which one to use.
/user:<username> Specifies the user or account name to store with this entry. If <username> isn’t supplied, it will be requested.
/pass:<password> Specifies the password to store with this entry. If <password> isn’t supplied, it will be requested. Passwords are not displayed after they’re stored.
/delete:{<targetname> \| /ras} Deletes a user name and password from the list. If <targetname> is specified, that entry is deleted. If /ras is specified, the stored remote access entry is deleted.
/list:<targetname> Displays the list of stored user names and credentials. If <targetname> isn’t specified, all stored user names and credentials are listed.
/? Displays help at the command prompt.

Examples

To display a list of all user names and credentials that are stored, type:

cmdkey /list

To add a user name and password for user Mikedan to access computer Server01 with the password Kleo, type:

cmdkey /add:server01 /user:mikedan /pass:Kleo

To add a user name and password for user Mikedan to access computer Server01 and prompt for the password whenever Server01 is accessed, type:

cmdkey /add:server01 /user:mikedan

To delete a credential stored by remote access, type:

cmdkey /delete /ras

To delete a credential stored for Server01, type:

cmdkey /delete:server01

Additional References


MIT License. Copyright (c) 2020-2021 Strontic.