Understanding and Mitigating Active Directory Attacks

However, its critical role also makes it an attractive target for cyber adversaries seeking unauthorized access, data exfiltration, or even system disruption.

In this article, we will explore common Active Directory attacks, their methodologies, and crucial mitigation strategies to fortify your organization’s security posture.

Password Attacks:

— Brute Force Attacks: Attackers attempt to gain unauthorized access by systematically trying all possible password combinations until the correct one is found.
— Password Spraying: Attackers try a few commonly used passwords across multiple user accounts to avoid account lockouts and increase the chances of success.

Mitigation: Enforce strong password policies, implement account lockout policies, and deploy multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.

2. Kerberos Attacks:

— Golden Ticket Attack: Attackers create a forged Kerberos ticket granting ticket (TGT) to gain persistent access and impersonate any user within the domain.
— Silver Ticket Attack: Similar to the golden ticket attack, but with limited access to a specific service.

Mitigation: Regularly rotate Kerberos tickets, monitor ticket usage, and restrict service account privileges.

3. Pass-the-Hash (PtH) Attacks:

— Attackers use stolen password hashes to authenticate and gain unauthorized access to systems.
— Pass-the-Ticket (PtT): Similar to PtH, but involves stealing Kerberos tickets instead.

Mitigation: Implement Credential Guard, restrict administrative privileges, and monitor for suspicious activity such as multiple logins from different locations.

4. LDAP Injection:

5. Domain Controller Compromise:

— DCShadow Attack: Attackers create rogue domain controllers to inject malicious changes into the AD without detection.
— DCSync Attack: Mimics the behavior of a domain controller to request sensitive information.

Mitigation: Regularly monitor and audit changes in the AD, limit access to domain controllers, and employ strong authentication for domain admin accounts.

6. DNS Spoofing and Poisoning:

Securing Active Directory is paramount for safeguarding an organization’s entire network. By understanding the tactics employed by attackers and implementing robust mitigation strategies, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to Active Directory attacks.

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