Sep 12 2025
A critical part of Active Directory security is regularly reviewing your AD admins. The simplest way to do this is to recursively enumerate the membership of the domain Administrators group (that group’s members and all member group members). Check the AD Admins output for the following: PowerShell code (using Active Directory PowerShell modules):https://github.com/PyroTek3/ActiveDirectory/blob/main/Get-ADAdmins.ps1
Dec 19 2020
Introduction & Attack Overview Jake Karnes (@jakekarnes42) with NetSPI published 3 articles (that’s right 3!) describing a new attack against Microsoft’s Kerberos implementation in Active Directory. He posted an Overview article, describing how the attack works, an Attack article on practical exploitation, and if you need further background on Kerberos, a Theory article. This article …
May 29 2020
In May 2020, I presented some Active Directory security topics in a Trimarc Webcast called “Securing Active Directory: Resolving Common Issues” and included some information I put together relating to the security of AD Group Managed Service Accounts (GMSA). This post includes the expanded version of attacking and defending GMSAs I covered in the webcast.I …
Oct 10 2018
At DerbyCon 8 (2018) over the weekend Will Schroeder (@Harmj0y), Lee Christensen (@Tifkin_), & Matt Nelson (@enigma0x3), spoke about the unintended risks of trusting AD. They cover a number of interesting persistence and privilege escalation methods, though one in particular caught my eye. Overview Lee figured out and presents a scenario where there’s an account …
May 20 2018
I recently presented my talk “Active Directory Security: The Journey” at Nolacon in New Orleans, LA. Slides are now posted here. On Sunday, May 19th, 2018, I spoke at NolaCon at 11am. Here’s the talk description: Active Directory is only the beginning. Attackers have set their sights squarely on Active Directory when targeting a company, though …
Jan 01 2018
I have been fascinated with Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs) since RODC was released as a new DC promotion option with Windows Server 2008. Microsoft customers wanted a DC that wasn’t really a DC. – something that could be deployed in a location that’s not physically secure and still be able to authenticate users. This post …
Aug 10 2017
Active Directory has several levels of administration beyond the Domain Admins group. In a previous post, I explored: “Securing Domain Controllers to Improve Active Directory Security” which explores ways to better secure Domain Controllers and by extension, Active Directory. For more information on Active Directory specific rights and permission review my post “Scanning for Active …
Jun 14 2017
Active Directory Recon is the new hotness since attackers, Red Teamers, and penetration testers have realized that control of Active Directory provides power over the organization. I covered ways to enumerate permissions in AD using PowerView (written by Will @harmj0y) during my Black Hat & DEF CON talks in 2016 from both a Blue Team …
May 01 2017
I recently presented my talk “Detecting the Elusive: Active Directory Threat Hunting” at BSides Charm in Baltimore, MD. Slides are now posted in the Presentations section. I cover some of the information I’ve posted here before: PowerShell Security Detecting Kerberoasting: Part 1 and Part 2 On Sunday, April 30th, 2017, I spoke at BSides Charm in …
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