An authentication package has been loaded by the Local Security Authority
An authentication DLL/package was loaded into the LSA space during boot or runtime.
Event ID 4610 logs when a custom authentication package (`LsaAuthenticationPackage`) registers with `lsass.exe`. While legitimate custom packages exist, malicious actors (such as SSP/AP persistence mechanisms like Mimikatz SSP) load arbitrary DLLs into LSA to harvest plaintext credentials on every logon.
Failure Reason / Root Cause:
Custom authentication package registration or security provider injection (`SSP/AP`).
Raw Event XML snippet
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Security-Auditing" Guid="{54849625-5478-4994-A5BA-3E3B0328C30D}" />
<EventID>4610</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>0</Level>
<Task>12544</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8020000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2026-07-17T09:54:44.856Z" />
<EventRecordID>1048576</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="612" ThreadID="1024" />
<Channel>Security</Channel>
<Computer>DC01.enterprise.internal</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="SubjectUserSid">S-1-5-18</Data>
<Data Name="SubjectUserName">SYSTEM</Data>
<Data Name="SubjectDomainName">NT AUTHORITY</Data>
<Data Name="SubjectLogonId">0x3e7</Data>
<!-- Event telemetry fields specific to An authentication package has been loaded by the Local Security Authority -->
</EventData>
</Event>MITRE ATT&CK mapping
| ID | Technique | Tactic |
|---|---|---|
T1547.005 | Security Support Provider | Persistence |
T1003.001 | OS Credential Dumping: LSASS Memory | Credential Access |
Recommended actions
- Audit registry values under `HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\Authentication Packages` and `Security Packages`.
- Enable LSA Protection (`RunAsPPL`) to strictly block unsigned or non-Microsoft DLLs from loading into `lsass.exe`.