Windows / Active Directory Security
ACTION REQUIRED (execute immediately after reading)
NOW: read../field-journal/precedent-pentest.mdNOW: domain/AD testing requires a clearly authorized scope (including DCs, and whether poisoning/relaying is allowed)NOW: case-init; write the network_profile and forbidden actions clearlyNEXT: tool-index (impacket/certipy/bloodhound etc. are often manual)ACT: start from identity enumeration and the BloodHound graph, not destructive exploitation
Applicable Scenarios
- Domain penetration, Kerberoasting, AS-REP, delegation
- AD CS (ESC1–ESC8 etc.) certificate attacks
- BloodHound / SharpHound attack paths
- NTLM Relay / Coercer forced authentication
- Local privilege escalation to domain paths (Potato etc. as a pivot)
Relationship with attack-chain
- Multi-stage from internet to domain controller → PRIMARY can remain
attack-chain/, this skill is the AD specialist - Already inside the domain, focused on identity → PRIMARY = this skill
Workflow
1. Enumeration
# Impacket examples / built-ins (require credentials and authorization)
nxc smb <range> -u user -p pass
bloodhound-python -d domain.local -u user -p pass -c All -ns <DC>
2. Common Paths (map first, shoot later)
□ Kerberoast / AS-REP → offline cracking
□ ACL abuse (GenericAll/WriteDacl)
□ Delegation (unconstrained/constrained/resource-based)
□ AD CS template misconfiguration → Certipy
□ Relay: LLMNR/NBT-NS + ntlmrelayx (confirm authorization)
3. Credentials and Lateral Movement
□ secretsdump / lsassy / mimikatz (strict authorization and cleanup)
□ PtH / PtT / golden tickets only within the authorized red-team scope
□ Write Evidence at every step; wait for user confirmation on high-risk actions
Toolchain
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| BloodHound / SharpHound | Path graph |
| Certipy | AD CS |
| Impacket / NetExec | Lateral movement and enumeration |
| Rubeus / Mimikatz | Tickets and credentials (authorized) |
| Coercer / Responder | Forced authentication / poisoning |
References
references/ad-attack-paths.md../pentest-tools/references/network-attack-defense.md../attack-chain/- seeds:
field-journal/seed-005_ad-certipy-esc1.mdseed-007_ntlm-relay-coercer.mdseed-013_kerberoasting-spn.md
Routing Context
Upstream: MASTER R24
Downstream: reporting docs-generator; EDR research needed → edr-bypass-re
MUST NOT: unauthorized DCSync / golden tickets against production
Task Completion Self-Check
- Graph/enumeration before exploitation?
- Reproducible commands recorded and sanitized?
- Scope prohibitions respected?
- Checklist?