1. Introduction

With the increasing digitalization of enterprises, sensitive credentials are frequently stored in various repositories, file shares, and cloud platforms. Exposed credentials pose a significant security risk, leading to potential data breaches, privilege escalations, and unauthorized access. Traditional tools detect some credential leaks but often lack accuracy, compliance, and contextual analysis. To address these gaps, we propose Credential Hunting as a Service (CHaaS)—a structured, ongoing, and strategic approach to securing credentials beyond a simple scanning tool.

2. Objective

The CHaaS model shifts from a standalone tool to a full-service offering, integrating automated detection, manual validation, impact analysis, and remediation guidance. This service aims to:

• Provide continuous monitoring and protection against credential exposure.

• Offer highly accurate detection by combining automation with expert manual reviews.

• Deliver actionable intelligence to organizations by classifying findings based on risk impact.

• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and NIST.

3. Key Features of CHaaS

3.1. Extensive Platform Coverage

CHaaS offers scanning capabilities for various storage and collaboration platforms:

• Local & NAS File Scanning: Detects credentials stored in internal files and network shares.

• GitHub & GitLab: Identifies exposed secrets in repositories and codebases.

• SharePoint Online: Scans for sensitive data in cloud-based document management systems.

• Confluence: Detects credentials leaked within internal documentation.

3.2. Advanced Credential Detection

• Over 175 regex-based detectors for technology-specific credentials (API keys, SSH keys, database passwords, etc.).

• More than 30 generic credential detectors for usernames, passwords, and patterns not covered by standard tools.

• Custom detection models to identify organization-specific credential formats.

3.3. Risk Analysis & Classification

• Findings metadata: Includes file location, modification date, and access permissions.

• Security compliance support: Ensures alignment with regulatory requirements.

• Threat prioritization: Assigns risk levels to detected credentials to guide remediation efforts.

3.4. Remediation & Continuous Improvement

• Provides detailed recommendations for securing credentials (rotation, revocation, or removal).

• Supports automated redaction of detected secrets for secure reporting.

• Conducts manual reviews for complex cases, enhancing future detection capabilities.

• Offers training and awareness programs to improve security hygiene.

4. Challenges & Solutions

5. Business Case: Why CHaaS?

5.1. Beyond One-Time Sales

• Instead of selling a static tool, CHaaS provides a long-term security strategy.

• Offers continuous monitoring and ongoing protection instead of a one-time scan.

• Provides adaptability to emerging threats and credential patterns.

5.2. Competitive Advantage

• Unlike existing tools (TruffleHog, GitLeaks, etc.), CHaaS offers:

  • Manual validation to reduce false positives.

  • Risk prioritization & threat modeling for actionable insights.

  • Compliance-focused reports for security and legal teams.

  • Secure handling & redaction of credentials to maintain confidentiality.

6. CHaaS Execution Process

The Reason Behind CHES (Credential Hunting Execution Standard)

With growing risks associated with credential leaks, organizations need a structured, repeatable, and scalablemethodology to detect, validate, and remediate credential exposures effectively. The Credential Hunting Execution Standard (CHES) was developed to provide a comprehensive framework for credential security assessments. CHES ensures:

• A standardized, highly organized approach to credential hunting, similar to penetration testing standards (e.g., PTES).

• A phased execution strategy that covers pre-engagement, detection, validation, risk analysis, and remediation.

• A focus on both automated detection and manual analysis, ensuring complete coverage of plaintext and non-plaintext credential exposures.

• Compliance with industry security standards (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR) and best practices.

• Continuous improvement and learning, where manual reviews enhance automated detection capabilities for future scans.

CHaaS follows a structured seven-phase process derived from CHES:

1. Pre-Engagement Interactions

   • Understanding business risks, defining scope, and ensuring legal compliance.

   • Identifying key stakeholders, defining objectives, and aligning with security policies.

   • Establishing engagement terms, including legal agreements and compliance checks.

2. Intelligence Gathering

   • Mapping data storage locations, repositories, and access structures.

   • Identifying key systems where sensitive credentials might be exposed.

   • Collecting metadata, file ownership details, and data flow insights.

3. Exposure Modeling

   • Assessing potential attack paths for exposed credentials.

   • Simulating adversarial approaches to credential harvesting.

   • Identifying risks related to lateral movement and privilege escalation.

4. Credential Detection & Validation

   • Running automated scans using advanced regex-based detectors and heuristics.

   • Conducting entropy analysis and AI-assisted anomaly detection.

   • Applying manual review to reduce false positives and discover hidden credentials.

5. Risk Analysis & Impact Assessment

   • Quantifying security risks and prioritizing critical exposures.

   • Evaluating business impact and threat levels.

   • Providing detailed risk categorization and impact metrics.

6. Remediation & Mitigation

   • Offering actionable recommendations for securing exposed credentials.

   • Notifying asset owners to rotate, revoke, or remove detected credentials.

   • Implementing automated monitoring for proactive credential security.

7. Reporting & Continuous Improvement

   • Delivering clear and concise executive reports with risk insights.

   • Providing detailed technical documentation for security teams.

   • Refining detection patterns based on newly discovered threats.

6. Conclusion & Next Steps

CHaaS is not just a tool—it’s a complete security service that helps organizations proactively manage and mitigate credential exposure risks. By combining automation with manual expertise, we ensure high detection accuracy, compliance, and strategic remediation.

Next Steps:

• Pilot Deployment: Identify key clients and conduct trial assessments.

• Service Packaging: Define pricing models, contract structures, and support levels.

• Marketing & Awareness: Educate potential clients on the risks of credential exposure and the advantages of CHaaS.

• Continuous Improvement: Enhance detection models and expand integrations with additional platforms.