New Job-Role Training Path: Active Directory Penetration Tester! Learn More

Active Directory BloodHound

This module covers AD enumeration focusing on the BloodHound tool. We will cover various techniques for enumerating key AD objects that will inform our attacks in later modules.

4.42

Created by mrb3n
Co-Authors: ippsec, plaintextHTB

Medium Offensive

Summary

This module introduces the BloodHound tool. We will learn how to gather and analyze data gathered using the SharpHound ingestor and how this information can be used as input to other tools during later parts of an AD-focused penetration test. In this module, we will cover:

  • Enumerating key AD objects such as users, groups, computers, ACLs, and GPOs
  • Enumerating AD trust relationships
  • Analyzing BloodHound and other tool data
  • AD enumeration from a non-domain joined Linux and Windows attack box as well as a compromised domain-joined host
  • Extending BloodHound by writing custom Cipher queries

CREST CCT INF-related Sections:

  • All sections

This module is broken down into sections with accompanying hands-on exercises to practice each of the tactics and techniques we cover. The module ends with a practical hands-on skills assessment to gauge your understanding of the various topic areas.

As you work through the module, you will see example commands and command output for the various topics introduced. It is worth reproducing as many of these examples as possible to reinforce further the concepts introduced in each section. You can do this in the Pwnbox provided in the interactive sections, Windows machines in a lab environment as directed, or your own virtual machine.

You can start and stop the module at any time and pick up where you left off. There is no time limit or "grading," but you must complete all of the exercises and the skills assessment to receive the maximum number of cubes and have this module marked as complete in any paths you have chosen.

The module is classified as "Medium." It assumes a working knowledge of Active Directory, the Linux and Windows command line, PowerShell, an understanding of information security fundamentals, and a firm grasp of AD enumeration processes and techniques.

A firm grasp of the following modules can be considered prerequisites for successful completion of this module:

  • Introduction to Networking
  • Linux Fundamentals
  • Active Directory LDAP
  • Active Directory PowerView

BloodHound Overview

Active Directory Access Management

Access management in Active Directory is complex, and it is easy to introduce vulnerabilities or bad practices in day-to-day configurations.

Attackers and defenders commonly have difficulty discovering or auditing all the accesses of a user or how these accesses are interconnected to give privileges to a user that are not supposed to exist.

Because the attack surface and the amount of data produced in Active Directory environments are highly complex and evolving, and because we needed a way to automate the collection and analysis of this data, @_wald0, @harmj0y, and @CptJesus created BloodHound.

Note: To understand more about Active Directory, we can look at these modules Introduction to Active Directory and Active Directory Enumeration & Attacks.

BloodHound Overview

BloodHound is an open-source tool used by attackers and defenders alike to analyze Active Directory domain security. The tool collects a large amount of data from an Active Directory domain. It uses the graph theory to visually represent the relationship between objects and identify domain attack paths that would have been difficult or impossible to detect with traditional enumeration. As of version 4.0, BloodHound now also supports Azure. Although the primary purpose of this module will be Active Directory, we will introduce AzureHound in the section Azure Enumeration.

Data to be utilized by BloodHound is gathered using the SharpHound collector, which is available in PowerShell and C#. We will discuss data collection in the following sections.

BloodHound Graph Theory & Cypher Query Language

BloodHound utilizes Graph Theory, which are mathematical structures used to model pairwise relations between objects. A graph in this context is made up of nodes (Active Directory objects such as users, groups, computers, etc.) which is connected by edges (relations between an object such as a member of a group, AdminTo, etc.). We will discuss nodes and edges further in another section, but let's do an example to see how BloodHound works.

The tool uses Cypher Query Language to analyze relationships. Cypher is Neo4j’s graph query language that lets us retrieve data from the graph. It is like SQL for graphs, and was inspired by SQL so it lets us focus on what data we want out of the graph (not how to go get it). It is the easiest graph language to learn by far because of its similarity to other languages and intuitiveness. We will discuss more about Cypher queries later in this module.

The below diagram shows two nodes, A and B. In this example, we can only go from node A to node B, not the other way.

image

This could simulate A as the user Grace and B as the group SQL Admins, the line between the two is the edge, which in this case is MemberOf. The next graphic show us that in BloodHound, where the user Grace is a member of the SQL Admins group.

text

Let's see a more complex relationship between nodes. The following graphic shows eight (8) nodes and ten (10) edges. Node H can reach node G, but no node has a direct path to node H. To get to node C from node A, we can hop to node G, move to node F, and then to node C, but that's not the shortest path. One of the BloodHound capabilities is to look for the shortest path. In this example, the shortest path from node A to node C is one hop through node B.

image

In the previous example, we used BloodHound to find that Grace is a member of SQL Admins, which is pretty simple to discover. We can use the Active Directory Users and Computers GUI or the net user grace /domain command. With only this information, we can conclude that Grace doesn't have any path to the Domain Admins group, but that is where BloodHound is much more helpful in helping us identify those relationships between nodes that are not easy to locate.

Let's use BloodHound as our map navigator and ask how to get from the user Grace to the Domain Admins group. Here's the result:

text

This means that Grace, as a member of the SQL Admins group, can change Peter's password. Authenticate with Peter's new password and perform operations as a member of the Domain Admins group. Although Peter is not a member directly, he is a member of a group that is.

BloodHound for Enterprise

The SpecterOps team that created BloodHound also created BloodHound Enterprise. An Attack Path Management solution that continuously maps and quantifies Active Directory Attack Paths. Ideal for enterprises that want to constantly monitor the different types of on-premises and cloud attack paths, prioritize their actions, obtain remediation guidance, and continuously measure their security posture.

The good thing about this project is that the BloodHound for Enterprise team uses a common library between the commercial and the FOSS project and introduces SharpHound Common: one code base from which both FOSS SharpHound and SharpHound Enterprise are built. This code base enables, among other things:

  • Improved documentation.
  • Improves the quality and stability of SharpHound for everyone.

Note: To learn more you can read: Introducing BloodHound 4.1 — The Three Headed Hound.

Moving On

Now that we have covered graph theory and how BloodHound works with nodes and edges to find the shortest paths, let's move on and collect some data that we can ingest into BloodHound and start manipulating.

Module Exercises

Throughout this module, you will connect to various target hosts via the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to complete the exercises. We will provide any necessary credentials with each exercise, and the RDP connection can be made via xfreerdp from the Pwnbox as follows:

Connecting via RDP

[!bash!]$ xfreerdp /v:<target IP address> /u:htb-student /p:<password>

After logging in to the target host, all tools can be found in the C:\Tools directory.

Next Steps

In the following sections, we will see how to collect Active Directory information from Windows and Linux and how to analyze the information we collect.

Sign Up / Log In to Unlock the Module

Please Sign Up or Log In to unlock the module and access the rest of the sections.

Sections

Relevant Paths

This module progresses you towards the following Paths

CREST CCT INF Preparation

CREST CCT INF Preparation

This is a skill path to prepare you for CREST's CCT INF exam. The following CCT INF syllabus areas (IDs) are covered: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A8, A9, A10, B1, B2, B4, B5, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, C7, D1, D2, D5, D9, D10, D13, D14, D15, D18, D19, E1, E2, E3 E6, E7, E8, E9, E11, E13, E14, E15, E16, E17, E18, E19, E20, E25, E26, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F13, F15, F16, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10, H11, H12, H13, H14, H15, H16, H17, H19, H20, H21, H23, H24, H25, H26, H27, H28, H29, H30, H31, H32, H33, H34, H35, H36, H37, H38, H40, I1, I2, I3, I4, I6, K1, K2, K3, K4, N1, N2. Take your time to complete all related sections and when you are ready you can book your CREST exam through the following link. https://www.crest-approved.org/certification-careers/crest-certifications/crest-certified-infrastructure-tester/

Hard Path Sections 956 Sections
Required: 11510
Reward: +2430
Path Modules
Introduction to Networking
Fundamental
Path Sections 21 Sections
Reward: +10
As an information security professional, a firm grasp of networking fundamentals and the required components is necessary. Without a strong foundation in networking, it will be tough to progress in any area of information security. Understanding how a network is structured and how the communication between the individual hosts and servers takes place using the various protocols allows us to understand the entire network structure and its network traffic in detail and how different communication standards are handled. This knowledge is essential to create our tools and to interact with the protocols.
Web Requests
Fundamental
Path Sections 8 Sections
Reward: +10
This module introduces the topic of HTTP web requests and how different web applications utilize them to communicate with their backends.
Introduction to Web Applications
Fundamental
Path Sections 17 Sections
Reward: +10
In the Introduction to Web Applications module, you will learn all of the basics of how web applications work and begin to look at them from an information security perspective.
Linux Fundamentals
Fundamental
Path Sections 30 Sections
Reward: +10
This module covers the fundamentals required to work comfortably with the Linux operating system and shell.
Windows Fundamentals
Fundamental
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +10
This module covers the fundamentals required to work comfortably with the Windows operating system.
Introduction to Windows Command Line
Easy
Path Sections 23 Sections
Reward: +10
As administrators and Pentesters, we may not always be able to utilize a graphical user interface for the actions we need to perform. Introduction to Windows Command Line aims to introduce students to the wide range of uses for Command Prompt and PowerShell within a Windows environment. We will cover basic usage of both key executables for administration, useful PowerShell cmdlets and modules, and different ways to leverage these tools to our benefit.
Intro to Network Traffic Analysis
Medium
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +10
Network traffic analysis is used by security teams to monitor network activity and look for anomalies that could indicate security and operational issues. Offensive security practitioners can use network traffic analysis to search for sensitive data such as credentials, hidden applications, reachable network segments, or other potentially sensitive information "on the wire." Network traffic analysis has many uses for attackers and defenders alike.
Brief Intro to Hardware Attacks
mini module tag Mini-Module
Medium
Path Sections 8 Sections
Reward: +10
This mini-module concisely introduces hardware attacks, covering Bluetooth risks and attacks, Cryptanalysis Side-Channel Attacks, and vulnerabilities like Spectre and Meltdown. It delves into both historical and modern Bluetooth hacking techniques, explores the principles of cryptanalysis and different side-channel attacks, and outlines microprocessor design, optimisation strategies and vulnerabilities, such as Spectre and Meltdown.
Penetration Testing Process
Fundamental
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +10
This module teaches the penetration testing process broken down into each stage and discussed in detail. We will cover many aspects of the role of a penetration tester during a penetration test, explained and illustrated with detailed examples. The module also covers pre-engagement steps like the criteria for establishing a contract with a client for a penetration testing engagement.
Network Enumeration with Nmap
Easy
Path Sections 12 Sections
Reward: +10
Nmap is one of the most used networking mapping and discovery tools because of its accurate results and efficiency. The tool is widely used by both offensive and defensive security practitioners. This module covers fundamentals that will be needed to use the Nmap tool for performing effective network enumeration.
Footprinting
Medium
Path Sections 21 Sections
Reward: +20
This module covers techniques for footprinting the most commonly used services in almost all enterprise and business IT infrastructures. Footprinting is an essential phase of any penetration test or security audit to identify and prevent information disclosure. Using this process, we examine the individual services and attempt to obtain as much information from them as possible.
Information Gathering - Web Edition
Easy
Path Sections 19 Sections
Reward: +20
This module equips learners with essential web reconnaissance skills, crucial for ethical hacking and penetration testing. It explores both active and passive techniques, including DNS enumeration, web crawling, analysis of web archives and HTTP headers, and fingerprinting web technologies.
OSINT: Corporate Recon
Hard
Path Sections 23 Sections
Reward: +200
OSINT (Open-source Intelligence) is a crucial stage of the penetration testing process. A thorough examination of publicly available information can increase the chances of finding a vulnerable system, gaining valid credentials through password spraying, or gaining a foothold via social engineering. There is a vast amount of publicly available information from which relevant information needs to be selected.
Vulnerability Assessment
Easy
Path Sections 17 Sections
Reward: +10
This module introduces the concept of Vulnerability Assessments. We will review the differences between vulnerability assessments and penetration tests, how to carry out a vulnerability assessment, how to interpret the assessment results, and how to deliver an effective vulnerability assessment report.
File Transfers
Medium
Path Sections 10 Sections
Reward: +10
During an assessment, it is very common for us to transfer files to and from a target system. This module covers file transfer techniques leveraging tools commonly available across all versions of Windows and Linux systems.
Shells & Payloads
Medium
Path Sections 17 Sections
Reward: +10
Gain the knowledge and skills to identify and use shells & payloads to establish a foothold on vulnerable Windows & Linux systems. This module utilizes a fictitious scenario where the learner will place themselves in the perspective of a sysadmin trying out for a position on CAT5 Security's network penetration testing team.
Using the Metasploit Framework
Easy
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +10
The Metasploit Framework is an open-source set of tools used for network enumeration, attacks, testing security vulnerabilities, evading detection, performing privilege escalation attacks, and performing post-exploitation.
Password Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 22 Sections
Reward: +10
Passwords are still the primary method of authentication in corporate networks. If strong password policies are not in place, users will often opt for weak, easy-to-remember passwords that can often be cracked offline and used to further our access. We will encounter passwords in many forms during our assessments. We must understand the various ways they are stored, how they can be retrieved, methods to crack weak passwords, ways to use hashes that cannot be cracked, and hunting for weak/default password usage.
Attacking Common Services
Medium
Path Sections 19 Sections
Reward: +20
Organizations regularly use a standard set of services for different purposes. It is vital to conduct penetration testing activities on each service internally and externally to ensure that they are not introducing security threats. This module will cover how to enumerate each service and test it against known vulnerabilities and exploits with a standard set of tools.
Cracking Passwords with Hashcat
Medium
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +20
This module covers the fundamentals of password cracking using the Hashcat tool.
Introduction to Active Directory
Fundamental
Path Sections 16 Sections
Reward: +10
Active Directory (AD) is present in the majority of corporate environments. Due to its many features and complexity, it presents a vast attack surface. To be successful as penetration testers and information security professionals, we must have a firm understanding of Active Directory fundamentals, AD structures, functionality, common AD flaws, misconfigurations, and defensive measures.
Active Directory LDAP
Medium
Path Sections 12 Sections
Reward: +100
This module provides an overview of Active Directory (AD), introduces core AD enumeration concepts, and covers enumeration with built-in tools.
Active Directory PowerView
Medium
Path Sections 9 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers AD enumeration focusing on the PowerView and SharpView tools. We will cover various techniques for enumerating key AD objects that will inform our attacks in later modules.
Active Directory BloodHound
Medium
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers AD enumeration focusing on the BloodHound tool. We will cover various techniques for enumerating key AD objects that will inform our attacks in later modules.
Pivoting, Tunneling, and Port Forwarding
Medium
Path Sections 18 Sections
Reward: +20
Once a foothold is gained during an assessment, it may be in scope to move laterally and vertically within a target network. Using one compromised machine to access another is called pivoting and allows us to access networks and resources that are not directly accessible to us through the compromised host. Port forwarding accepts the traffic on a given IP address and port and redirects it to a different IP address and port combination. Tunneling is a technique that allows us to encapsulate traffic within another protocol so that it looks like a benign traffic stream.
Active Directory Enumeration & Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 36 Sections
Reward: +20
Active Directory (AD) is the leading enterprise domain management suite, providing identity and access management, centralized domain administration, authentication, and much more. Due to the many features and complexity of AD, it presents a large attack surface that is difficult to secure properly. To be successful as infosec professionals, we must understand AD architectures and how to secure our enterprise environments. As Penetration testers, having a firm grasp of what tools, techniques, and procedures are available to us for enumerating and attacking AD environments and commonly seen AD misconfigurations is a must.
Kerberos Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 23 Sections
Reward: +100
Kerberos is an authentication protocol that allows users to authenticate and access services on a potentially insecure network. Due to its prevalence throughout an Active Directory environment, it presents us with a significant attack surface when assessing internal networks. This module will explain how Kerberos works thoroughly and examines several scenarios to practice the most common attacks against it from multiple perspectives.
DACL Attacks I
mini module tag Mini-Module
Hard
Path Sections 7 Sections
Reward: +100
Discretionary Access Control Lists (DACLs), found within security descriptors, are a fundamental component of the security model of Windows and Active Directory, defining and enforcing access to the various system resources. This mini-module will cover enumerating and attacking common DACL misconfigurations, allowing us to escalate our privileges horizontally and vertically and move laterally across an Active Directory network.
Using CrackMapExec
Medium
Path Sections 27 Sections
Reward: +100
Active Directory presents a vast attack surface and often requires us to use many different tools during an assessment. The CrackMapExec tool, known as a "Swiss Army Knife" for testing networks, facilitates enumeration, attacks, and post-exploitation that can be leveraged against most any domain using multiple network protocols. It is a versatile and highly customizable tool that should be in any penetration tester's toolbox.
Linux Privilege Escalation
Easy
Path Sections 28 Sections
Reward: +20
Privilege escalation is a crucial phase during any security assessment. During this phase, we attempt to gain access to additional users, hosts, and resources to move closer to the assessment's overall goal. There are many ways to escalate privileges. This module aims to cover the most common methods emphasizing real-world misconfigurations and flaws that we may encounter in a client environment. The techniques covered in this module are not an exhaustive list of all possibilities and aim to avoid extreme "edge-case" tactics that may be seen in a Capture the Flag (CTF) exercise.
Windows Privilege Escalation
Medium
Path Sections 33 Sections
Reward: +20
After gaining a foothold, elevating our privileges will provide more options for persistence and may reveal information stored locally that can further our access in the environment. Enumeration is the key to privilege escalation. When you gain initial shell access to the host, it is important to gain situational awareness and uncover details relating to the OS version, patch level, any installed software, our current privileges, group memberships, and more. Windows presents an enormous attack surface and, being that most companies run Windows hosts in some way, we will more often than not find ourselves gaining access to Windows machines during our assessments. This covers common methods while emphasizing real-world misconfigurations and flaws that we may encounter during an assessment. There are many additional "edge-case" possibilities not covered in this module. We will cover both modern and legacy Windows Server and Desktop versions that may be present in a client environment.
Stack-Based Buffer Overflows on Linux x86
Medium
Path Sections 13 Sections
Reward: +10
Buffer overflows are common vulnerabilities in software applications that can be exploited to achieve remote code execution (RCE) or perform a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack. These vulnerabilities are caused by insecure coding, resulting in an attacker being able to overrun a program's buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations, changing the program's execution path and resulting in unintended actions.
Stack-Based Buffer Overflows on Windows x86
Medium
Path Sections 11 Sections
Reward: +10
This module is your first step into Windows Binary Exploitation, and it will teach you how to exploit local and remote buffer overflow vulnerabilities on Windows machines.
Using Web Proxies
Easy
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +20
Web application penetration testing frameworks are an essential part of any web penetration test. This module will teach you two of the best frameworks: Burp Suite and OWASP ZAP.
Attacking Web Applications with Ffuf
Easy
Path Sections 13 Sections
Reward: +10
This module covers the fundamental enumeration skills of web fuzzing and directory brute forcing using the Ffuf tool. The techniques learned in this module will help us in locating hidden pages, directories, and parameters when targeting web applications.
Login Brute Forcing
Easy
Path Sections 13 Sections
Reward: +20
The module contains an exploration of brute-forcing techniques, including the use of tools like Hydra and Medusa, and the importance of strong password practices. It covers various attack scenarios, such as targeting SSH, FTP, and web login forms.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Easy
Path Sections 10 Sections
Reward: +20
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are among the most common web application vulnerabilities. An XSS vulnerability may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the target's browser and result in complete web application compromise if chained together with other vulnerabilities. This module will teach you how to identify XSS vulnerabilities and exploit them.
Session Security
Medium
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +20
Maintaining and keeping track of a user's session is an integral part of web applications. It is an area that requires extensive testing to ensure it is set up robustly and securely. This module covers the most common attacks and vulnerabilities that can affect web application sessions, such as Session Hijacking, Session Fixation, Cross-Site Request Forgery, Cross-Site Scripting, and Open Redirects.
SQL Injection Fundamentals
Medium
Path Sections 17 Sections
Reward: +10
Databases are an important part of web application infrastructure and SQL (Structured Query Language) to store, retrieve, and manipulate information stored in them. SQL injection is a code injection technique used to take advantage of coding vulnerabilities and inject SQL queries via an application to bypass authentication, retrieve data from the back-end database, or achieve code execution on the underlying server.
SQLMap Essentials
Easy
Path Sections 11 Sections
Reward: +20
The SQLMap Essentials module will teach you the basics of using SQLMap to discover various types of SQL Injection vulnerabilities, all the way to the advanced enumeration of databases to retrieve all data of interest.
Blind SQL Injection
Hard
Path Sections 16 Sections
Reward: +100
In this module, we cover blind SQL injection attacks and MSSQL-specific attacks.
Advanced SQL Injections
Hard
Path Sections 12 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers advanced SQL injection techniques with a focus on white-box testing, Java/Spring and PostgreSQL.
Introduction to NoSQL Injection
Medium
Path Sections 12 Sections
Reward: +100
In this module, we will look at exploiting NoSQL injection vulnerabilities, specifically MongoDB, with examples in Python, PHP, and Node.JS.
File Inclusion
Medium
Path Sections 11 Sections
Reward: +10
File Inclusion is a common web application vulnerability, which can be easily overlooked as part of a web application's functionality.
File Upload Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 11 Sections
Reward: +20
Arbitrary file uploads are among the most critical web vulnerabilities. These flaws enable attackers to upload malicious files, execute arbitrary commands on the back-end server, and even take control over the entire server and all web applications hosted on it and potentially gain access to sensitive data or cause a service disruption.
Command Injections
Medium
Path Sections 12 Sections
Reward: +20
Command injection vulnerabilities can be leveraged to compromise a hosting server and its entire network. This module will teach you how to identify and exploit command injection vulnerabilities and how to use various filter bypassing techniques to avoid security mitigations.
Broken Authentication
Medium
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +20
Authentication is probably the most straightforward and prevalent measure used to secure access to resources, and it's the first line of defense against unauthorized access. Broken authentication is listed as #7 on the 2021 OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks, falling under the broader category of Identification and Authentication failures. A vulnerability or misconfiguration at the authentication stage can impact an application's overall security.
Web Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 18 Sections
Reward: +20
This module covers three common web vulnerabilities, HTTP Verb Tampering, IDOR, and XXE, each of which can have a significant impact on a company's systems. We will cover how to identify, exploit, and prevent each of them through various methods.
HTTPs/TLS Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers details on Transport Layer Security (TLS) and how it helps to make HTTP secure with the widely used HTTPS. That includes how TLS works, how TLS sessions are established, common TLS misconfigurations, as well as famous attacks on TLS. We will discuss how to identify, exploit, and prevent TLS attacks.
HTTP Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 18 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers three HTTP vulnerabilities: CRLF Injection, HTTP Request Smuggling, and HTTP/2 Downgrading. These vulnerabilities can arise on the HTTP level in real-world deployment settings utilizing intermediary systems such as reverse proxies in front of the web server. We will cover how to identify, exploit, and prevent each of these vulnerabilities.
Injection Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers three injection attacks: XPath injection, LDAP injection, and HTML injection in PDF generation libraries. While XPath and LDAP injection vulnerabilities can lead to authentication bypasses and data exfiltration, HTML injection in PDF generation libraries can lead to Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), Local File Inclusion (LFI), and other common web vulnerabilities. We will cover how to identify, exploit, and prevent each of these injection attacks.
Abusing HTTP Misconfigurations
Hard
Path Sections 20 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers three common HTTP vulnerabilities: Web Cache Poisoning, Host Header Vulnerabilities, and Session Puzzling or Session Variable Overloading. These vulnerabilities can arise on the HTTP level due to web server misconfigurations, other systems that have to be considered during real-world deployment such as web caches, or coding mistakes in the web application. We will cover how to identify, exploit, and prevent each of these vulnerabilities.
Attacking Common Applications
Medium
Path Sections 33 Sections
Reward: +20
Penetration Testers can come across various applications, such as Content Management Systems, custom web applications, internal portals used by developers and sysadmins, and more. It's common to find the same applications across many different environments. While an application may not be vulnerable in one environment, it may be misconfigured or unpatched in the next. It is important as an assessor to have a firm grasp of enumerating and attacking the common applications discussed in this module. This knowledge will help when encountering other types of applications during assessments.
Web Service & API Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 13 Sections
Reward: +20
Web services and APIs are frequently exposed to provide certain functionalities in a programmatic way between heterogeneous devices and software components. Both web services and APIs can assist in integrating different applications or facilitate separation within a given application. This module covers how to identify the functionality a web service or API offers and exploit any security-related inefficiencies.
Hacking WordPress
Easy
Path Sections 16 Sections
Reward: +20
WordPress is an open-source Content Management System (CMS) that can be used for multiple purposes.
Documentation & Reporting
Easy
Path Sections 8 Sections
Reward: +20
Proper documentation is paramount during any engagement. The end goal of a technical assessment is the report deliverable which will often be presented to a broad audience within the target organization. We must take detailed notes and be very organized in our documentation, which will help us in the event of an incident during the assessment. This will also help ensure that our reports contain enough detail to illustrate the impact of our findings properly.
Secure Coding 101: JavaScript
Hard
Path Sections 17 Sections
Reward: +200
Learn how to improve your JavaScript code's security through Code Review, Static/Dynamic Analysis, Vulnerability Identification, and Patching.
Whitebox Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 15 Sections
Reward: +100
This module explores several web vulnerabilities from a whitebox approach: Prototype Pollution, Timing Attacks & Race Conditions, and those arising from Type Juggling. We will discuss how to identify, exploit, and prevent each vulnerability.
Active Directory Penetration Tester

Active Directory Penetration Tester

The Active Directory Penetration Tester Job Role Path is designed for individuals who aim to develop skills in pentesting large Active Directory (AD) networks and the components commonly found in such environments. This path equips students with the skills needed to evaluate the security of AD environments, navigate complex Windows networks, and identify elusive attack paths. This path includes advanced hands-on labs where participants will practice techniques such as Kerberos attacks, NTLM relay attacks, and the abuse of services like AD Certificate Services (ADCS), Exchange, WSUS, and MSSQL. Students will also learn how to exploit misconfigurations in Active Directory DACLs and Domain Trusts, perform evasion tactics in Windows environments, and leverage Command and Control (C2) frameworks for post-exploitation activities. By combining theoretical foundations with practical exercises and a structured methodology for identifying AD vulnerabilities, this path enables students to conduct professional security assessments on complex AD infrastructures and effectively report security weaknesses discovered by chaining multiple vulnerabilities.

Hard Path Sections 253 Sections
Required: 7100
Reward: +1420
Path Modules
Active Directory Enumeration & Attacks
Medium
Path Sections 36 Sections
Reward: +20
Active Directory (AD) is the leading enterprise domain management suite, providing identity and access management, centralized domain administration, authentication, and much more. Due to the many features and complexity of AD, it presents a large attack surface that is difficult to secure properly. To be successful as infosec professionals, we must understand AD architectures and how to secure our enterprise environments. As Penetration testers, having a firm grasp of what tools, techniques, and procedures are available to us for enumerating and attacking AD environments and commonly seen AD misconfigurations is a must.
Active Directory LDAP
Medium
Path Sections 12 Sections
Reward: +100
This module provides an overview of Active Directory (AD), introduces core AD enumeration concepts, and covers enumeration with built-in tools.
Active Directory PowerView
Medium
Path Sections 9 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers AD enumeration focusing on the PowerView and SharpView tools. We will cover various techniques for enumerating key AD objects that will inform our attacks in later modules.
Active Directory BloodHound
Medium
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers AD enumeration focusing on the BloodHound tool. We will cover various techniques for enumerating key AD objects that will inform our attacks in later modules.
Windows Lateral Movement
Medium
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +100
Windows lateral movement involves techniques to navigate and control remote systems within a network, primarily after gaining initial access. It is crucial in offensive and defensive cybersecurity strategies, allowing attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, and expand their network presence while helping defenders understand, identify, and mitigate such movements. This module delves into various lateral movement techniques on Windows systems, providing a comprehensive understanding and practical examples of executing and defending against these methods.
Using CrackMapExec
Medium
Path Sections 27 Sections
Reward: +100
Active Directory presents a vast attack surface and often requires us to use many different tools during an assessment. The CrackMapExec tool, known as a "Swiss Army Knife" for testing networks, facilitates enumeration, attacks, and post-exploitation that can be leveraged against most any domain using multiple network protocols. It is a versatile and highly customizable tool that should be in any penetration tester's toolbox.
Kerberos Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 23 Sections
Reward: +100
Kerberos is an authentication protocol that allows users to authenticate and access services on a potentially insecure network. Due to its prevalence throughout an Active Directory environment, it presents us with a significant attack surface when assessing internal networks. This module will explain how Kerberos works thoroughly and examines several scenarios to practice the most common attacks against it from multiple perspectives.
DACL Attacks I
mini module tag Mini-Module
Hard
Path Sections 7 Sections
Reward: +100
Discretionary Access Control Lists (DACLs), found within security descriptors, are a fundamental component of the security model of Windows and Active Directory, defining and enforcing access to the various system resources. This mini-module will cover enumerating and attacking common DACL misconfigurations, allowing us to escalate our privileges horizontally and vertically and move laterally across an Active Directory network.
DACL Attacks II
mini module tag Mini-Module
Hard
Path Sections 9 Sections
Reward: +100
In this second module on Discretionary Access Control Lists (DACLs), we delve into sophisticated attack techniques and strategies within Windows Active Directory environments. Building on the foundation laid in DACL Attacks I, this module explores other DACL misconfigurations and their exploitation. We also introduce methods for detecting and mitigating these DACL-based attacks, equipping learners with both offensive and defensive skills crucial for safeguarding and compromising Active Directory networks.
NTLM Relay Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 10 Sections
Reward: +100
The NTLM authentication protocol is commonly used within Windows-based networks to facilitate authentication between clients and servers. However, NTLM's inherent weaknesses make it susceptible to Adversary-in-the-Middle attacks, providing a significant attack vector. This module focuses on the various NTLM relay attacks that attackers use to compromise Active Directory networks.
ADCS Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 19 Sections
Reward: +100
This module focuses on privilege escalation attacks by abusing misconfigurations in Active Directory Certificate Services.
Active Directory Trust Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 21 Sections
Reward: +100
Active Directory (AD) is the leading solution for organizations to provide identity and access management, centralized domain administration, authentication, and many other tasks. It is possible to connect Active Directory domains and forests via a feature called "trusts". Domain trusts can be set up for a variety of reasons such as resource sharing, centralized management, cross-forest collaboration, migration, enhanced security. With the introduction of trusts into any environment, they bring with them many inherent risks. As skilled AD pentesters we must understand how to enumerate and attack both intra-forest and cross-forest and be able to confidently explain the hardening considerations a customer needs to take into an account to mitigate some of the risk of introducing trusts into their operation environment.
Intro to C2 Operations with Sliver
Hard
Path Sections 19 Sections
Reward: +100
Active Directory is present in over 90% of corporate environments and it is the prime target for attacks. This module covers the attack chain from getting the initial foothold within a corporate environment to compromising the whole forest with Sliver C2 and other open-source tools.
Introduction to Windows Evasion Techniques
Hard
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +100
In this module we will cover the basics of evading antivirus solutions (Windows Defender specifically) from an attackers point-of-view.
MSSQL, Exchange, and SCCM Attacks
Hard
Path Sections 19 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers attacks targeting tightly incorporated technologies in Active Directory environments such as MSSQL, Exchange, and SCCM, and how to identify them.
Active Directory Enumeration

Active Directory Enumeration

Active Directory (AD) is widely used by companies across all verticals/sectors, non-profits, government agencies, and educational institutions of all sizes. By its nature, AD is easily misconfigured and has many inherent flaws and widely known vulnerabilities. Due to the sheer number of objects and in AD and complex intertwined relationships that form as an AD network grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to secure and presents a vast attack surface. AD environments can become quite large and often hold many obvious and more difficult to discover flaws. A deep understanding of AD enumeration techniques and tools is essential to becoming a well-rounded information security professional.

Hard Path Sections 35 Sections
Required: 1500
Reward: +300
Path Modules
Active Directory LDAP
Medium
Path Sections 12 Sections
Reward: +100
This module provides an overview of Active Directory (AD), introduces core AD enumeration concepts, and covers enumeration with built-in tools.
Active Directory PowerView
Medium
Path Sections 9 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers AD enumeration focusing on the PowerView and SharpView tools. We will cover various techniques for enumerating key AD objects that will inform our attacks in later modules.
Active Directory BloodHound
Medium
Path Sections 14 Sections
Reward: +100
This module covers AD enumeration focusing on the BloodHound tool. We will cover various techniques for enumerating key AD objects that will inform our attacks in later modules.