The computer attempted to validate the credentials for an account

// EVENT DEFINITION:

The computer attempted to validate credentials using NTLM authentication package via domain or local accounts.

// DETAILED TELEMETRY & CONTEXT:

Event ID 4776 is generated whenever the domain controller or local workstation attempts to validate user credentials using the legacy NTLM authentication protocol (`NTLMv1` / `NTLMv2`). Because NTLM does not provide mutual authentication and relies on challenge-response hashes, tracking 4776 is critical for spotting NTLM brute-forcing, Pass-the-Hash (PtH), and NTLM Relay attacks.

[ ! ]Failure Reason / Root Cause Analysis

Legacy application authentication, SMB/file share access over NTLM, or active NTLM credential stuffing / Pass-the-Hash attacks.

Operational Metadata & Applicability

Log Category:Logon/Logoff

Audit Type Classification:Success / Failure Audit

Supported Operating Systems:Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 / Windows Client 10, 11 (Enterprise / Pro)

Threat Hunting Keywords:

ntlmcredential validationpass the hashntlm relayauthentication packagelegacy auth

MITRE ATT&CK Framework Alignment

T1550.002

Use Alternate Authentication Material: Pass the HashTactic: Lateral Movement

T1110

Brute ForceTactic: Credential Access

Mitigation Playbook & Recommended SOC Actions

•Analyze failed 4776 events (`Error Code: 0xC000006A`) originating from unknown or unauthorized `Source Workstation` names.
•Transition enterprise authentication from legacy NTLM to Kerberos (`Disable NTLM` via Group Policy where feasible).
•Correlate with Event ID 4624 (`Logon Type 3`) to track pass-the-hash lateral movement.

Representative Windows Event XML Schema

<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>4776</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>0</Level>
    <Task>12544</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8020000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2026-07-17T09:54:44.328Z" />
    <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 The computer attempted to validate the credentials for an account -->
  </EventData>
</Event>

Correlated / Related Security Event IDs

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