During an attack, what does lateral movement accomplish?

Lateral movement is a technique used by attackers to navigate within a network after gaining initial access. It primarily facilitates unauthorized access to additional resources, allowing the attacker to exploit further systems, data, or sensitive information. Once an attacker has a foothold on one system, they often seek to move laterally to other machines or endpoints, leveraging existing credentials or exploiting vulnerabilities. This movement within the network can be crucial for escalating privileges and achieving greater control over the environment.

This understanding of lateral movement highlights why unauthorized access to additional resources is the core purpose and outcome of such behavior during an attack. It emphasizes the attacker’s goal of expanding their reach within the network, obtaining valuable assets, and potentially setting the stage for broader attacks or data exfiltration.