cmdkey.exe

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

Hashes

Type	Hash
MD5	`A5390D2AECD60BDE25B85868FB7D1663`
SHA1	`728D70C3ACF5179F6DD7F1A774C615F8326063EF`
SHA256	`E6AD20EB41B82EB4211211522E3FA1E2ACF434766000A09B3F2BADE7A120411B`
SHA384	`50055338A04B8DE28F5B1D50657E428BD9F83E32CD68BC042B54E29A2C0BAF7A68B766BBDC984EF14C2AECCFD4E3E567`
SHA512	`3022BBB91384F1A66C0B48F60DCE0DA64B11C814975D94E03C75E8066EA1343A2A881B275E99868FC0095F274B5C437E5D74AC52ADC0F9F75CCA39ACF458FD87`
SSDEEP	`384:E3K4N9/4sTPWtvuKltPiEM5OUDdTXTlJ31Gp9WiwW:JoQrt6VtD3zGp3`

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: 3300000266BD1580EFA75CD6D3000000000266
Thumbprint: A4341B9FD50FB9964283220A36A1EF6F6FAA7840
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: 10.0.18362.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
Product Version: 10.0.18362.1
Language: English (United States)
Legal Copyright: Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

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

Command-Line Syntax Key