An attempt was made to reset an account's password
An administrator attempted to reset the password for another user account.
Unlike Event 4723, Event ID 4724 is generated when a privileged account (`SubjectUserName`) administrative resets the password of a different target identity (`TargetUserName`). Attackers who achieve domain administrative rights frequently force-reset passwords on key service or executive accounts to hijack immediate access.
Failure Reason / Root Cause:
Helpdesk password reset request, or unauthorized administrative takeover of accounts via forced password reset.
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>4724</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>0</Level>
<Task>12544</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8020000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2026-07-17T09:54:44.891Z" />
<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 attempt was made to reset an account's password -->
</EventData>
</Event>MITRE ATT&CK mapping
| ID | Technique | Tactic |
|---|---|---|
T1098 | Account Manipulation | Persistence |
T1098 | Account Manipulation | Credential Access |
Recommended actions
- Alert whenever a password reset (`4724`) targets high-privileged accounts (`Domain Admins`, `KRBTGT`, `Service Accounts`) by non-standard operators.
- Reconcile every administrative password reset with verified helpdesk confirmation tickets.