# Kali Linux Course #358: Mimikatz$
## Section 1: Introduction to Mimikatz$
### 1.1 Overview of Mimikatz$
Mimikatz is a powerful open-source tool that allows security professionals and penetration testers to retrieve plaintext passwords, hash, PIN codes, and Kerberos tickets from memory. Developed by Benjamin Delpy, Mimikatz has gained a reputation for being one of the go-to tools for credential dumping and RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) exploitation.
This section will cover the installation and configuration of Mimikatz on Kali Linux, followed by a detailed guide on how to utilize this tool effectively in penetration tests.
### 1.2 Installation and Configuration on Kali Linux
Before diving into the usage of Mimikatz, ensure that your Kali Linux environment is up to date. Open a terminal and execute the following commands:
"`bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
"`
#### 1.2.1 Installing Mimikatz
Mimikatz is not included in the standard Kali repositories. You can, however, download it manually from its official GitHub repository or use a pre-compiled version.
1. **Download Mimikatz**:
Use the following command to clone the Mimikatz repository:
git clone https://github.com/gentilkiwi/mimikatz.git
2. **Navigate to the Directory**:
After cloning, navigate to the Mimikatz directory:
cd mimikatz
3. **Compiling Mimikatz**:
If you want to compile Mimikatz from source, you will need to have `cmake`, `make`, and `g++` installed on your Kali Linux machine. Use the following command to install those dependencies:
sudo apt install cmake build-essential
Next, compile Mimikatz:
cd kiwix
cmake .
make
4. **Running Mimikatz**:
Once compiled, you can run Mimikatz with the following command:
./mimikatz
#### 1.2.2 Setting Up Dependencies
Mimikatz requires administrator privileges to run certain commands. Therefore, it is crucial to execute Mimikatz as a root user. You can gain root access by using the following command:
"`bash
sudo su
"`
Once you are operating in root mode, you can begin using Mimikatz.
### 1.3 Step-by-Step Usage of Mimikatz
Mimikatz can be used for various tasks, including credential dumping, with several commands. Below, we will explore some of these commands step-by-step.
#### 1.3.1 Dumping Plaintext Passwords
To extract plaintext passwords from memory, execute the following commands inside Mimikatz:
1. Load the necessary privileges:
[/dm_code_snippet]plaintext
privilege::debug
[/dm_code_snippet]
2. Dump the credentials:
[/dm_code_snippet]plaintext
sekurlsa::minidump C:PathToMemoryDump.dmp
sekurlsa::dump
[/dm_code_snippet]
In this case, `C:PathToMemoryDump.dmp` refers to the location of a memory dump file. If you don't have a memory dump, you can use the command without specifying a dump file:
"`plaintext
sekurlsa::logonpasswords
"`
This command will list all current logged-on users and their credentials.
#### 1.3.2 Extracting Kerberos Tickets
Mimikatz allows you to extract Kerberos tickets, which can be useful for Pass-the-Ticket (PTT) attacks:
1. Run the `kerberos::list` command:
[/dm_code_snippet]plaintext
kerberos::list
[/dm_code_snippet]
This will show you all valid Kerberos tickets associated with the logged-in user session.
2. To export a specific ticket:
[/dm_code_snippet]plaintext
kerberos::ptt
[/dm_code_snippet]
### 1.4 Real-World Use Cases
Mimikatz can be utilized in various penetration testing scenarios. Below are a few real-world use cases:
#### 1.4.1 Red Teaming Exercises
In red teaming exercises, Mimikatz is often employed to simulate an attacker attempting to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Upon exploiting a vulnerability, a penetration tester can retrieve user credentials stored in memory. This can demonstrate the potential risks of inadequate security measures.
#### 1.4.2 Incident Response
For incident response teams, Mimikatz can be a valuable tool for forensic data collection. It can help in identifying compromised accounts and understanding the scope of an attack after a security breach.
#### 1.4.3 Active Directory Attacks
Mimikatz is particularly effective in environments utilizing Active Directory. Penetration testers can use it to gather credentials and escalate privileges, thereby demonstrating the need for enhanced security protocols.
### 1.5 Detailed Technical Explanations
Mimikatz operates on several core principles of Windows security and memory management. Below are some technical explanations of how Mimikatz functions:
#### 1.5.1 Memory Management and Credentials
Modern operating systems, including Windows, store credentials in memory (RAM) for quick access. Mimikatz exploits this behavior by leveraging Windows APIs to read and manipulate memory. The `sekurlsa` module of Mimikatz interacts directly with the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), which is responsible for enforcing security policies.
#### 1.5.2 Understanding Privileges
The command `privilege::debug` grants the necessary permissions to Mimikatz. Without these elevated permissions, many of its core functionalities would be inaccessible, highlighting the importance of privilege management in Windows environments.
#### 1.5.3 Kerberos Authentication
Kerberos is a ticket-based authentication protocol widely used in corporate environments. Mimikatz can exploit Kerberos ticket-granting mechanisms to impersonate users, further emphasizing the need for security measures against ticket theft.
### 1.6 External References
For further reading and deeper understanding of Mimikatz and its capabilities, consider the following resources:
– [Mimikatz GitHub Repository](https://github.com/gentilkiwi/mimikatz)
– [Microsoft Security Documentation on Credential Guard](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/security-baselines/credential-guard)
– [Understanding Kerberos Authentication](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/security/kerberos/kerberos)
– [Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking Resources](https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Penetration_Testing)
### 1.7 Code Examples
In this section, we provide a few code examples demonstrating Mimikatz commands in markdown format suitable for WordPress:
"`bash
# Load privileges
privilege::debug
# Dump credentials from memory
sekurlsa::logonpasswords
# List Kerberos tickets
kerberos::list
# Export a specific Kerberos ticket
kerberos::ptt
"`
"`bash
# Use external file dump
sekurlsa::minidump C:PathToMemoryDump.dmp
sekurlsa::dump
"`
### Conclusion
Mimikatz is a robust tool that plays a significant role in penetration testing and security assessments. Its ability to extract sensitive information from memory makes it indispensable for security professionals. By understanding how to install, configure, and effectively use Mimikatz, penetration testers can better evaluate the security posture of their environments and uncover vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
—
Made by pablo rotem / פבלו רותם