Top 10 Active Directory Attack Methods Explained | Techniques & Mitigations (2025 Guide)

Table of Contents

• 1. Kerberoasting
• 2. Password Spraying
• 3. Local Loop Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) / NBT-NS Poisoning
• 4. Pass-the-Hash with Mimikatz
• 5. Default Credentials
• 6. Hard-Coded Credentials
• 7. Privilege Escalation
• 8. LDAP Reconnaissance
• 9. BloodHound Reconnaissance
• 10. NTDS.dit Extraction
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As cyber threats continue to evolve, attackers increasingly target Active Directory (AD) — the heart of identity and access management in enterprise environments. Active Directory is used by over 90% of Fortune 1000 companies, making it a prime target for hackers aiming to move laterally, escalate privileges, or exfiltrate sensitive data.

Understanding the most common attack techniques against Active Directory is essential for cybersecurity professionals, red teamers, and network defenders. Below, we explore the Top 10 Active Directory Attack Methods as shown in the infographic.

 1. Kerberoasting

Kerberoasting is a post-exploitation technique where attackers extract service account tickets (TGS) and crack them offline to retrieve plaintext passwords. Since service accounts often have elevated privileges, gaining access to one can lead to domain dominance.

• Tool Examples: Rubeus, Impacket

• Mitigation: Use complex service account passwords and avoid using Domain Admin privileges.

 2. Password Spraying

Unlike brute-force attacks that target a single account with multiple passwords, password spraying tests a single password across many accounts. This method avoids account lockouts and remains under the radar.

• Tool Examples: CrackMapExec, Hydra

• Mitigation: Enable MFA, monitor failed login attempts, and set lockout policies.

  
  

3. Local Loop Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) / NBT-NS Poisoning

LLMNR and NetBIOS Name Service (NBT-NS) allow name resolution without DNS. Attackers poison these protocols to redirect traffic and harvest NTLM hashes, which can then be cracked offline.

• Tool Examples: Responder, Inveigh

• Mitigation: Disable LLMNR/NBT-NS and enforce DNS resolution.

 4. Pass-the-Hash with Mimikatz

This technique allows attackers to authenticate using a password hash instead of plaintext credentials. Tools like Mimikatz extract NTLM hashes, which can be reused without cracking.

• Mitigation: Use local admin account isolation (LAPS), monitor lateral movement, and enforce SMB signing.

 5. Default Credentials

Many systems are deployed with default usernames and passwords (e.g., admin/admin). Attackers exploit this misconfiguration to gain initial access or pivot through the network.

• Mitigation: Change all default credentials immediately after installation, and audit systems regularly.

 6. Hard-Coded Credentials

Developers sometimes embed credentials within application source code or configuration files. These "hard-coded secrets" can be extracted and used to access critical systems.

• Mitigation: Use secret management tools and scan repositories for exposed credentials.

 7. Privilege Escalation

After initial access, attackers seek to escalate privileges using techniques such as exploiting misconfigured services, DLL hijacking, or token manipulation to gain Domain Admin rights.

• Tool Examples: PowerUp, WinPEAS

• Mitigation: Apply least privilege principles and patch known privilege escalation vulnerabilities.

 8. LDAP Reconnaissance

LDAP queries allow attackers to gather detailed information about domain users, groups, computers, and permissions — a crucial step for planning further attacks.

• Tool Examples: BloodHound, ADFind

• Mitigation: Limit read access in AD and monitor for unusual LDAP queries.

 9. BloodHound Reconnaissance

BloodHound is a powerful tool used by red teamers to map Active Directory relationships and identify privilege escalation paths using graph theory.

• Mitigation: Regularly audit AD group memberships and clean up stale accounts.

 10. NTDS.dit Extraction

The NTDS.dit file is the Active Directory database that stores password hashes. If attackers gain access to a Domain Controller, they can extract this file to crack all user passwords offline.

• Tool Examples: ntdsutil, secretsdump.py

• Mitigation: Limit access to Domain Controllers, enable logging, and use read-only DCs where possible.

Conclusion

Active Directory remains a prime target due to its central role in user and resource management. Understanding these attack vectors is crucial for defenders to build resilient architectures and for ethical hackers to test and secure enterprise environments.

Stay ahead by learning these techniques in a lab environment and applying mitigation strategies before attackers do.

FAQs

What are the top attack methods used against Active Directory in 2025?

The top attack methods include Kerberoasting, password spraying, LLMNR poisoning, pass-the-hash, hard-coded credentials, default credentials, privilege escalation, LDAP reconnaissance, BloodHound usage, and NTDS.dit extraction.

What is Kerberoasting in Active Directory attacks?

Kerberoasting is a technique where attackers request service tickets and extract encrypted credentials to crack them offline and gain access to high-privilege accounts.

How does password spraying differ from brute-force attacks?

Password spraying uses one password on many accounts to avoid lockouts, whereas brute-force attacks try many passwords on one account.

What is LLMNR poisoning and why is it dangerous?

LLMNR poisoning tricks devices into sending authentication data to a malicious machine, enabling credential harvesting using tools like Responder.

Can Mimikatz still be used in 2025 for pass-the-hash attacks?

Yes, Mimikatz remains effective for extracting and reusing NTLM hashes unless modern defenses like Credential Guard are in place.

Why are default credentials a serious security issue?

Default credentials are widely known and often unchanged, giving attackers easy access to systems and devices on the network.

How do hard-coded credentials lead to vulnerabilities?

When credentials are embedded in code or scripts, attackers can extract them and gain unauthorized access to systems or databases.

What is privilege escalation in the context of AD?

Privilege escalation allows an attacker with limited access to elevate their privileges, often to Domain Admin, by exploiting vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.

What is LDAP reconnaissance used for?

LDAP reconnaissance helps attackers gather information about domain objects, users, groups, and trust relationships for lateral movement.

How does BloodHound help in AD attacks?

BloodHound maps relationships in Active Directory, allowing attackers to find privilege escalation paths using graph analysis.

What is NTDS.dit and why is it a target for attackers?

NTDS.dit is the AD database that stores password hashes. If compromised, it gives attackers the ability to crack and misuse all domain credentials.

What are the best tools for defending Active Directory in 2025?

Top tools include Microsoft Defender for Identity, LAPS, SIEM solutions, and threat-hunting tools that detect suspicious AD behavior.

How can organizations prevent Kerberoasting attacks?

Use strong passwords for service accounts, avoid Domain Admin privileges, and monitor service ticket requests.

What security measure can stop password spraying?

Implement account lockout policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and monitor authentication logs for anomalies.

How do you disable LLMNR to prevent poisoning attacks?

You can disable LLMNR via Group Policy under "Turn Off Multicast Name Resolution" in Windows settings.

What is a secure alternative to hard-coded credentials?

Use secrets management tools like Azure Key Vault or HashiCorp Vault to store and manage credentials securely.

How can BloodHound be detected in use?

Unusual LDAP queries and account behavior patterns may indicate BloodHound usage; monitor for excessive directory enumeration.

What is the best way to secure NTDS.dit?

Limit access to Domain Controllers, implement monitoring tools, and use disk encryption to protect sensitive files.

What’s the role of Red Teams in testing Active Directory security?

Red Teams simulate real-world attacks on AD to identify weaknesses and improve defenses through ethical hacking.

Are AD attacks increasing in 2025?

Yes, due to hybrid work and growing cloud integrations, AD remains a prime target for attackers worldwide.

Can you detect pass-the-hash attacks in real-time?

Yes, using advanced threat detection tools and SIEM solutions that track abnormal credential usage and session behaviors.

How often should you audit Active Directory security?

Organizations should perform at least quarterly audits, with real-time monitoring for critical accounts and access.

Is disabling NTLM a good defense against hash-based attacks?

Yes, disabling NTLM or restricting its use helps protect against pass-the-hash and relay attacks.

What is ADFS and can it be attacked like AD?

Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) can be exploited, especially via token-signing certificate theft or misconfigurations.

Do cloud-based AD services face similar attacks?

Yes, Azure AD and hybrid identities are vulnerable to phishing, token hijacking, and misconfigured conditional access policies.

What role does MFA play in Active Directory defense?

MFA significantly reduces the risk of account compromise even if credentials are leaked or stolen.

Can attackers use PowerShell in AD attacks?

Yes, PowerShell is commonly used for reconnaissance, persistence, and exploitation in AD environments.

What are Golden Ticket attacks?

Golden Tickets are forged Kerberos TGTs created using a stolen KRBTGT hash, allowing attackers to impersonate any user indefinitely.

What is a Silver Ticket attack?

Silver Ticket attacks involve forging service tickets (TGS) to gain access to specific services without needing domain admin rights.

What’s the difference between domain and enterprise admins?

Enterprise Admins can modify all domains in a forest, while Domain Admins control one domain. Both are high-value targets in AD.