In a pass-the-hash attack, what is the main goal of the attacker?

In a pass-the-hash attack, the primary goal of the attacker is to authenticate as a legitimate user without the need for the plaintext password. This technique exploits the way certain operating systems handle authentication, particularly in environments that use NT LAN Manager (NTLM) for authentication, where password hashes can be captured and reused.

By obtaining a user's password hash, the attacker can manipulate the authentication process to impersonate that user, often enabling access to secure systems or sensitive data that the legitimate user would usually have. Essentially, the attacker leverages the hash directly, bypassing the actual need for the password, making it a powerful technique in the exploitation of network security.

Other options, such as conducting phishing attacks or gaining administrative access to databases, might be related to the broader context of cyber attacks but do not directly pertain to the mechanics and goals of a pass-the-hash attack. Similarly, exploiting physical vulnerabilities refers to a different category of attacks altogether and is unrelated to the method or intent behind a pass-the-hash attack.