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Introduction:
Active Directory (AD) remains the prime target for attackers during post‑exploitation, yet most powerful enumeration tools like PowerView rely on PowerShell – limiting their use from Linux systems. Pywerview, a Python‑based alternative to PowerView, changes this paradigm by enabling full AD reconnaissance directly from Linux, making cross‑platform red team operations stealthier and more flexible than ever.
Learning Objectives:
- Install and configure Pywerview along with its Impacket dependencies on a Linux attack machine.
- Execute core AD enumeration tasks – domain users, groups, computers, logged‑in sessions – using Pywerview commands.
- Apply detection rules and hardening measures to defend against Linux‑based AD enumeration attacks.
You Should Know:
1. Installing Pywerview and Impacket on Linux
Pywerview is not a standalone package but a collection of Python scripts that leverage Impacket for SMB/RPC communication. Below is the verified installation process on Kali Linux or any Debian‑based distribution.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Install Impacket from GitHub (required for Pywerview) sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3-pip git -y git clone https://github.com/SecureAuthCorp/impacket.git cd impacket sudo python3 setup.py install Clone Pywerview cd /opt git clone https://github.com/the-useless-one/pywerview.git cd pywerview Install additional Python dependencies pip3 install pycryptodome pandas termcolor
Verification: Run `python3 pywerview.py –help` to confirm all modules load correctly. You’ll need valid domain credentials (cleartext or NTLM hash) for enumeration.
2. Enumerating Domain Users and Groups
Enumerating user accounts and group memberships is the first step in mapping AD attack surface. Pywerview replicates PowerView’s `Get-NetUser` and `Get-NetGroup` without touching PowerShell.
Step‑by‑step commands:
List all domain users (requires low‑privileged account) python3 pywerview.py get-netuser -u "lowpriv" -p "Password123" -d "contoso.local" -t "192.168.1.10" Find domain admins recursively python3 pywerview.py get-netgroup -u "lowpriv" -p "Password123" -d "contoso.local" -t "192.168.1.10" -group "Domain Admins" -recursive Export to CSV for offline analysis python3 pywerview.py get-netuser -u "user" -p "pass" -d "contoso.local" -t "10.0.0.1" --csv > domain_users.csv
What this does: Pywerview uses Impacket’s `samr` and `lsadc` RPC calls to query the Domain Controller. The `-t` flag targets the DC IP, and `-recursive` resolves nested group membership – revealing high‑value accounts for lateral movement.
3. Discovering Domain Computers and Operating Systems
Knowing which machines are in the domain helps attackers identify high‑value targets (e.g., file servers, domain controllers, SQL servers). Pywerview’s `get-netcomputer` pulls detailed OS and service pack information.
Step‑by‑step guide:
List all computers with OS version python3 pywerview.py get-netcomputer -u "user" -p "pass" -d "corp.local" -t "192.168.1.10" Filter for servers only (by OS pattern) python3 pywerview.py get-netcomputer -u "user" -p "pass" -d "corp.local" -t "192.168.1.10" | grep -i "server" Find unpatched Windows 7/2008 machines (typical low‑hanging fruit) python3 pywerview.py get-netcomputer -u "user" -H "NTLMhash" -d "corp.local" -t "192.168.1.10" --os "Windows 7"
Why this matters: Attackers often pivot to workstations with logged‑on high‑privilege users. Pywerview also supports NTLM hash authentication using `-H` flag (hash in LM:NT format), bypassing cleartext password requirements.
4. Finding Logged‑in Users and Active Sessions
Identifying currently logged‑on users across the domain reveals session‑based attacks like token theft or pass‑the‑hash. Pywerview implements `get-netloggedon` and `get-netsession` from PowerView.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Check which users are logged into a specific workstation python3 pywerview.py get-netloggedon -u "admin" -p "pass" -d "domain.local" -t "192.168.1.10" -computer "WS-001" Enumerate active SMB sessions on a file server python3 pywerview.py get-netsession -u "admin" -p "pass" -d "domain.local" -t "192.168.1.10" -computer "FILESRV01" Loop through all computers to find where Domain Admin is logged in for ip in $(cat domain_computers.txt); do python3 pywerview.py get-netloggedon -u "lowpriv" -p "pass" -d "domain.local" -t "DC_IP" -computer $ip | grep -i "admin" done
In practice: The `get-netloggedon` query uses the `NetWkstaUserEnum` RPC call. If successful, attackers can deploy remote service creation (PsExec) or schedule tasks to hijack the admin’s session.
5. Enumerating Privileges and ACLs for Escalation Paths
Misconfigured access control lists (ACLs) allow attackers to grant themselves rights (e.g., ForceChangePassword, AddMember). Pywerview’s `get-objectacl` enumerates security descriptors.
Step‑by‑step guide:
Get ACLs for a specific user object python3 pywerview.py get-objectacl -u "user" -p "pass" -d "domain.local" -t "192.168.1.10" -object "CN=John Doe,CN=Users,DC=domain,DC=local" Recursively find dangerous ACLs (like GenericAll, WriteDacl) python3 pywerview.py get-objectacl -u "user" -H "hash" -d "domain.local" -t "192.168.1.10" --all | grep -E "GenericAll|WriteDacl|WriteOwner" Check for unconstrained delegation on computers python3 pywerview.py get-netcomputer -u "user" -p "pass" -d "domain.local" -t "192.168.1.10" -unconstrained
Attack scenario: If your low‑privileged user has `WriteProperty` on a target group object, you can add yourself to that group using `pywerview add-domaingroupmember` (not shown but available). This mirrors BloodHound’s edge detection but from the command line.
6. Detecting Pywerview Activity in Windows Event Logs
Defenders can catch Linux‑based enumeration by monitoring specific RPC calls and logon anomalies. Pywerview uses Impacket’s defaults, which leave detectable signatures.
Step‑by‑step detection guide (Windows Event IDs):
On Domain Controller, enable detailed Netlogon logging
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters" /v "LogFileMaxSize" /t REG_DWORD /d 10485760 /f
reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netlogon\Parameters" /v "LogLevel" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
Query Event Viewer for suspicious SAMR calls (Event ID 4662 for AD object access)
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security'; ID=4662} | Where-Object { $_.Message -match "samr|lsadc|RPC" }
Detect NTLM logon anomalies (Event ID 4624 with logon type 3 – network)
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{LogName='Security'; ID=4624} | Where-Object { $<em>.Message -match "Logon Type:\s+3" -and $</em>.Message -match "Network" }
Linux detection from network side:
Sniff for Impacket user agent strings (default Impacket SMB traffic) sudo tcpdump -i eth0 -n -s 0 -A 'port 445' | grep -i "impacket"
Pywerview does not randomize source identifiers, so continuous enumeration will appear as repeated RPC bind operations from the same source IP.
7. Hardening Active Directory Against Linux‑Based Enumeration
Because Pywerview relies on standard RPC interfaces (SAMR, LSA, DRSUAPI), traditional blocking is ineffective. Instead, apply layered defenses.
Step‑by‑step hardening guide:
- Restrict enumeration privileges: Implement Microsoft’s “Enumerate Local Users” GPO setting (disabled for non‑admins) and remove `Pre‑Windows 2000 Compatible Access` group.
- Network segmentation: Block SMB/RPC inbound to Domain Controllers from non‑management subnets (only allow from jump hosts).
- Use EDR with RPC inspection: Deploy endpoint detection that flags Impacket’s default `bind_ack` header; CrowdStrike and SentinelOne have prebuilt rules.
- Enforce Kerberos for remote management: Disable NTLM authentication on DCs wherever possible – Pywerview’s hash authentication will fail.
Disable NTLM on Domain Controller via GPO (Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> Network security: Restrict NTLM: Incoming NTLM traffic)
- Monitor for unusual `samr` calls: Use Sysmon Event ID 7 (module load) and 10 (process access) combined with process command line logging – Pywerview will impersonate `python3` making RPC calls.
What Undercode Say:
- Cross‑platform threat expansion: Pywerview eliminates Windows PowerShell dependencies, allowing red teams and attackers to operate from Linux, significantly raising the need for cross‑platform detection.
- Defense depth remains critical: Since Pywerview mimics legitimate RPC traffic, blocking it requires a blend of network segmentation, NTLM disabling, and advanced EDR behavior analysis – basic antivirus will not help.
- Knowledge gap alert: Most AD security guides focus on Windows tools; enterprises must train SOC teams to recognize Impacket‑based enumeration patterns (RPC binding from non‑Windows OS, high volume of SAMR queries, etc.). Proactive purple team exercises using Pywerview are highly recommended.
Prediction:
As Linux becomes the dominant attack platform (e.g., Cobalt Strike Linux beacon, Mythic C2), tools like Pywerview will evolve into fully modular AD enumeration frameworks integrated with BloodHound CE. We predict a surge of BYOL (Bring Your Own Linux) attacks targeting hybrid AD environments, leading to Microsoft releasing official cross‑platform AD analysis tooling and SIEM detections specifically for Python‑based enumeration. Enterprises that do not adopt Kerberos‑only authentication and real‑time RPC anomaly detection will face silent, long‑term Active Directory compromises originating from Linux jump boxes.
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Reported By: Shikha – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
