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Active Directory Security · Penetration Test

Penetration Testing Report for Shen

A security assessment of the Active Directory infrastructure of Sang Ab Shen, focused on identifying critical weaknesses and strengthening the organization's security posture.

Active Directory3 critical findingsRemediation completed

01

Introduction

This report details the penetration testing project conducted on the Active Directory infrastructure of Sang Ab Shen. The objective was to identify security vulnerabilities within the environment and provide actionable recommendations to enhance its security posture.

02

Project Description

Scope of testing

Core directory services

The test focused on user accounts, Group Policies, and domain controllers.

Tools and techniques

  • BloodHoundMapped attack paths and visualized Active Directory relationships.
  • MimikatzExtracted authentication credentials and analyzed system configurations.
  • PowerViewQueried Active Directory objects and reviewed Group Policies.
  • Manual TestingAssessed permissions and configurations.

03

Critical Findings

Critical · 3

Three critical vulnerabilities were identified during the penetration test.

01

Weak Password Policies

The password policy allowed weak passwords, increasing the risk of brute-force attacks.

Impact
Potential unauthorized access to user accounts.
Detection method
Reviewed Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and password settings using PowerView.
02

Misconfigured Permissions

Several user accounts had excessive permissions, violating the principle of least privilege.

Impact
Risk of privilege escalation or data breaches.
Detection method
Identified unauthorized access paths using BloodHound.
03

Unpatched Systems

Domain controllers were running outdated software vulnerable to known exploits.

Impact
Susceptibility to exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Detection method
Analyzed system configurations with Mimikatz.

04

Remediation Recommendations

Action plan
01

Strengthen Password Policies

  • Enforce a strong password policy through Group Policy Objects (GPOs), requiring a minimum of 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
  • Implement account lockout policies to prevent brute-force attacks.
02

Correct Misconfigured Permissions

  • Review and audit all user and group permissions to ensure adherence to the principle of least privilege.
  • Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to assign permissions based on job roles.
03

Patch and Maintain Systems

  • Regularly update and patch all systems, especially domain controllers, to address known vulnerabilities.
  • Establish a patch-management policy for the timely application of security updates.

Conclusion

A stronger Active Directory security posture

The penetration test identified three critical vulnerabilities: weak password policies, misconfigured permissions, and unpatched systems. Implementing the recommended remediation steps addressed these issues and significantly enhanced the security of the Active Directory environment.

Regular security audits and penetration tests are recommended to maintain a secure posture.

Prepared bySam Kheiri