DOCSLIB.ORG

Active Directory Facts

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Active Directory Facts Active Directory Facts Active Directory is a centralized database that contains user account and security information. In a workgroup, security and management takes place on each computer, with each computer holding information about users and resources. With Active Directory, all computers share the same central database. The Active Directory structure is a hierarchical framework with the following components: Component Description A domain is an administratively-defined collection of network resources that share a common directory database and security policies. The domain is the basic administrative unit of an Active Directory structure. Database information is replicated (shared or copied) within a domain. Security settings are not shared between domains. Each domain maintains its own set of relationships with other domains. Domain Domains are identified using DNS names. The common name is the domain name itself. The distinguished name includes the DNS context or additional portions of the name. Depending on the network structure and requirements, the entire network might be represented by a single domain with millions of objects, or the network might require multiple domains. Within Active Directory, each resource is identified as an object. Common objects include: Users Groups Computers Shared folders You should know the following about objects: Objects Each object contains attributes (i.e. information about the object such as a user's name, phone number, and email address) which is used for locating and securing resources. The schema identifies the object classes (the type of objects) that exist in the tree and the attributes (properties) of the object. Active Directory uses DNS for locating and naming objects. Container objects hold or group other objects, either other containers or leaf objects. An organizational unit is like a folder that subdivides and organizes network resources within a domain. An organizational unit: Organizational Is a container object. Unit (OU) Can be used to logically organize network resources. Simplifies security administration. You should know the following about OUs: First-level OUs can be called parents. Second-level OUs can be called children. OUs can contain other OUs or any type of leaf object (e.g. users, computers, and printers). Like OUs, generic containers are used to organize Active Directory objects. Generic container objects: Generic Are created by default Containers Cannot be created, moved, renamed, or deleted Have very few editable properties Multiple domains are grouped together in the following relationship: A tree is a group of related domains that share the same contiguous DNS name space. A forest is a collection of related domain trees. The forest establishes the relationship between trees that have different DNS name spaces. Trees and forests have the following characteristics: Trees and The forest root domain is the top-level domain in the top tree. It is the first Forests domain created in the Active Directory forest. The tree root domain is the highest level domain in a tree. Each domain in the tree that is connected to the tree root domain is called a child domain. A domain tree is a group of domains based on the same name space. Domains in a tree: o Are connected with a two-way transitive trust. o Share a common schema. o Have common global catalogs. A domain controller is a server that holds a copy of the Active Directory database that Domain can be written to. Replication is the process of copying changes to Active Directory Controller between the domain controllers. Active Directory uses the following two objects to represent the physical structure of the network. A subnet represents a physical network segment. Each subnet possesses its own unique network address space. A site represents a group of well-connected networks (networks that are Sites and connected with high-speed links). Subnets You should know the following about sites and subnets: Sites and subnets are used to manage Active Directory replication between locations. All Active Directory sites contain servers and site links (the connection between two sites that allows replication to occur). Site links are used by Active Directory to build the most efficient replication topology. A site differs from a domain in that it represents the physical structure of your network, while a domain represents the logical structure of your organization. Clients are assigned to sites dynamically according to their Internet Protocol (IP) address and subnet mask. Domain controllers are assigned to sites according to the location of their associated server object in Active Directory. The Active Directory database resides in a file called NTDS.dit. It is the physical database file in which all directory data is stored. This file consists of three internal tables: The data table contains all the information in the Active Directory data store: users, groups, application-specific data, and any other data that is stored in Active Directory after its installation. The link table contains data that represents linked attributes, which contain values that refer to other objects in Active Directory. The security descriptor (SD) table contains data that represents inherited security descriptors for each object. Active Directory Features Facts As you work with Active Directory, you should understand the following concepts: Feature Description The Global Catalog (GC) is a database that contains a partial replica of every object from Global every domain within a forest. A server that holds a copy of the Global Catalog is a global Catalog catalog server. The Global Catalog facilitates faster searches because different domain controllers do not have to be referenced. Operations master roles, also referred to as Flexible Single-Master Operation (FSMO) roles, are specialized domain controller tasks assigned to a domain controller in the domain or forest. Operations master roles are useful because certain domain and enterprise-wide operations are not well suited for the multi-master replication performed by Active Directory to replicate objects and attributes. A domain controller that performs an operations master role is known as an operations master or operations master role owner. The following roles are forest roles, meaning that one domain controller within the entire forest holds the role: Operations The schema master maintains the Active Directory schema for the forest. Master Roles The domain naming master adds new domains to and removes existing domains from the forest. The following roles are domain roles, meaning that one domain controller in each domain holds the role: The RID master allocates pools or blocks of numbers (called relative IDs or RIDs) that are used by the domain controller when creating new security principles (such as user, group, or computer accounts). The PDC emulator acts like a Windows NT 4.0 Primary Domain Controller (PDC) and performs other tasks normally associated with NT domain controllers. The infrastructure master is responsible for updating changes made to objects. As you install or remove domain controllers, you will need to be aware of which domain controllers hold these roles. The Windows time service (w32tm.exe) provides network date and time synchronization for computers in an Active Directory domain. The Windows Time service: Is an essential component of Kerberos authentication, file timestamps, and data replication. Is installed by default in the %Systemroot%\System32 folder during operating system setup and installation. Time Service Uses the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize computer clocks on the network so that an accurate clock value, or time stamp, can be assigned to network validation and resource access requests. Integrates NTP and time providers, making it reliable and scalable in an enterprise environment. Is backwards compatible with Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP), which is an older protocol used in some versions of Windows. A functional level is a set of operation constraints that determine the functions that can be performed by an Active Directory domain or forest. A functional level defines: Which Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) features are available to the domain or forest. Which Windows Server operating systems can be run on domain controllers in the domain or forest. Functional levels do not affect which operating systems you can run on workstations and servers that are joined to the domain or forest. Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 supports the following domain functional levels: Windows 2000 Native Functional Windows Server 2003 Level Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 R2 (limited to Windows Server 2008 R2) Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 supports the following forest functional levels: Windows 2000 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 R2 (Limited to Windows Server 2008 R2) Note: You cannot have Windows NT domain controllers and Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controllers in the same forest. A policy is a set of configuration settings that must be applied to users or computers. Collections of policy settings are stored in a Group Policy object (GPO). The GPO is a Group Policy collection of files that includes registry settings, scripts, templates, and software-specific configuration values. Group Policy is an important component of Active Directory because through Group Policy you can centrally manage and enforce
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Logs & Event Analysis and Password Cracking
    Logs & Event Analysis and Password Cracking MODULE 6 Page 1 of 29 Contents 6.1 Learning Objectives ............................................................................................................. 4 6.2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 4 6.3 Windows registry ................................................................................................................. 5 6.3.1 Registry and forensics ................................................................................................... 5 6.3.1.1 System information ................................................................................................ 5 6.4 Windows event log file ........................................................................................................ 9 6.4.1 Windows Event Log File Format .................................................................................. 9 6.4.2 Reading from Windows event log file ........................................................................ 11 6.4.3 Using Microsoft log parser ......................................................................................... 11 6.4.4 Understanding Windows user account management logs .......................................... 13 6.4.5 Understanding Windows file and other object Access sets ........................................ 14 6.4.6 Auditing policy change ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis the Structure of SAM and Cracking Password Base on Windows Operating System
    International Journal of Future Computer and Communication, Vol. 5, No. 2, April 2016 Analysis the Structure of SAM and Cracking Password Base on Windows Operating System Jiang Du and Jiwei Li latest Windows 10, the registry contains information that Abstract—Cracking Windows account password is critical to Windows continually references during operation, such as the forensic analyst. The general methods of decipher password profiles for each user, the applications installed on the include clean the password, guess by social engineering, computer and the types of documents, property sheet settings mathematical analyzing, exhaustive attacking, dictionary attacking and rainbow tables algorithm. This paper provides the of folders and application icons, what hardware exists on the details about the Security Account Manager(SAM) database system, and the ports that are being used [3]. On disk, the and describes how to get the user information from SAM and Windows registry is not only a large file but a set of discrete cracks account password of Windows 10 that the latest files called hives. Each hive is a hierarchical tree which operating system of Microsoft. identified by a root key to provide access to all sub-keys in the tree up to 512 levels deep. Index Terms—SAM, decipher password, crack password, Windows 10. III. SECURITY ACCOUNT MANAGER (SAM) I. INTRODUCTION Security Account Manager (SAM) is a database used to In the process of computer forensic the analyst need to store user account information, including password, account enter the Windows operating system by cracking windows groups, access rights, and special privileges in Windows account password to collect evidence at times.
    [Show full text]
  • Lotus Notes and Domino R5.0 Security Infrastructure Revealed
    CT6TPNAwhite.qxd 4/28/99 4:00 PM Page 1 Lotus Notes and Domino R5.0 Security Infrastructure Revealed Søren Peter Nielsen, Frederic Dahm, Marc Lüscher, Hidenobu Yamamoto, Fiona Collins, Brian Denholm, Suresh Kumar, John Softley International Technical Support Organization http://www.redbooks.ibm.com SG24-5341-00 44 Lotus Notes and Domino R5.0 Security Infrastructure Revealed SG24-5341-00 International Technical Support Organization Lotus Notes and Domino R5.0 Security Infrastructure Revealed May 1999 Take Note! Before using this information and the product it supports, be sure to read the general information in the Special Notices section at the back of this book. First Edition (May 1999) This edition applies to Lotus Domino Release 5.0. Comments may be addressed to: IBM Corporation, International Technical Support Organization Dept. JN9B Building 045 Internal Zip 2834 11400 Burnet Road Austin, Texas 78758-3493 When you send information to IBM, you grant IBM a non-exclusive right to use or distribute the information in any way it believes appropriate without incurring any obligation to you. © International Business Machines Corporation 1999. All rights reserved. Note to U.S. Government Users: Documentation related to restricted rights. Use, duplication or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in GSA ADP Schedule Contract with IBM Corp. Contents Preface ....................... vii 2 What Is Lotus Domino? ........21 The Team That Wrote This Redbook ...... viii Domino R5.0 Server .................21 Comments Welcome ................. x Lotus QuickPlace .................21 1 Basic Security Concepts Domino Mail Server ...............22 Revealed ....................... 1 Domino Application Server ...........22 Important Terminology ............... 2 Domino Enterprise Server ............22 Computer System ................
    [Show full text]
  • Microsoft Windows NT
    Microsoft Windows NT Securing Windows NT Installation October 23, 1997 Microsoft Corporation Contents Abstract Establishing Computer Security Levels of Security Off-the-Shelf vs. Custom Software Minimal Security Standard Security High-Level Security High-Level Software Security Considerations User Rights Protecting Files and Directories Protecting the Registry Secure EventLog Viewing Secure Print Driver Installation The Schedule Service (AT Command) Secure File Sharing FTP Service NetBios Access From Internet Hiding the Last User Name Restricting the Boot Process Allowing Only Logged-On Users to Shut Down the Computer Controlling Access to Removable Media Securing Base System Objects Enabling System Auditing Enhanced Protection for Security Accounts Manager Database Restricting Anonymous network access to Registry Restricting Anonymous network access to lookup account names and groups and network shares Enforcing strong user passwords Disabling LanManager Password Hash Support Wiping the System Page File during clean system shutdown Disable Caching of Logon Credentials during interactive logon. C2 Security Evaluation vs. Certification Setting up a C2-compliant System Abstract Microsoft® Windows NT® operating system provides a rich set of security features. However, the default out-of-the-box configuration is highly relaxed, especially on the Workstation product. This is because the operating system is sold as a shrink-wrapped product with an assumption that an average customer may not want to worry about a highly restrained but secure system on their desktop. This assumption has changed over the years as Windows NT gains popularity largely because of its security features. Microsoft is investigating a better secured default configuration for future releases. In the meantime, this white paper talks about various security issues with respect to configuring all Windows NT version 4.0 OS products for a highly secure computing environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Professor Messer's
    Professor Messer’s CompTIA 220-1002 Core 2 A+ Course Notes James “Professor” Messer http://www.ProfessorMesser.com Professor Messer’s CompTIA 220-1002 Core 2 A+ Course Notes Written by James “Professor” Messer Copyright © 2018 by Messer Studios, LLC http://www.ProfessorMesser.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. First Edition: September 2018 Trademark Acknowledgments All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and are in no way associated or affiliated with Messer Studios LLC. “Professor Messer” is a registered trademark of Messer Studios LLC. “CompTIA” and “A+” are registered trademarks of CompTIA, Inc. Warning and Disclaimer This book is designed to provide information about the CompTIA 220-1002 A+ certification exam. However, there may be typographical and/or content errors. Therefore, this book should serve only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of subject information. The author shall have no liability or responsibility to any person or entity regarding any loss or damage incurred, or alleged to have incurred, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book. Contents 1.0 - Operating Systems 1 1.1 - Operating Systems Overview 1 1.2 - An Overview of Windows 7 2 1.2 - An Overview of Windows 8 and 8.1 3 1.2 - An Overview of Windows 10 4 1.2
    [Show full text]
  • [MS-SAMR-Diff]: Security Account Manager (SAM) Remote Protocol (Client- To-Server)
    [MS-SAMR-Diff]: Security Account Manager (SAM) Remote Protocol (Client- to-Server) Intellectual Property Rights Notice for Open Specifications Documentation . Technical Documentation. Microsoft publishes Open Specifications documentation for protocols, file formats, languages, standards as well as overviews of the interaction among each of these technologies. Copyrights. This documentation is covered by Microsoft copyrights. Regardless of any other terms that are contained in the terms of use for the Microsoft website that hosts this documentation, you may make copies of it in order to develop implementations of the technologies described in the Open Specifications and may distribute portions of it in your implementations using these technologies or your documentation as necessary to properly document the implementation. You may also distribute in your implementation, with or without modification, any schema, IDL's, or code samples that are included in the documentation. This permission also applies to any documents that are referenced in the Open Specifications. No Trade Secrets. Microsoft does not claim any trade secret rights in this documentation. Patents. Microsoft has patents that may cover your implementations of the technologies described in the Open Specifications. Neither this notice nor Microsoft's delivery of the documentation grants any licenses under those or any other Microsoft patents. However, a given Open Specification may be covered by Microsoft Open Specification Promise or the Community Promise. If you would prefer a written license, or if the technologies described in the Open Specifications are not covered by the Open Specifications Promise or Community Promise, as applicable, patent licenses are available by contacting [email protected]. Trademarks.
    [Show full text]
  • Windows Server 2016 Security Guide
    Windows Server Security Guide August 2017 © 2017 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The information in this document represents the current view of Microsoft on the content. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION ON THIS DOCUMENT Contents Windows Server 2016 Security Guide ............................................................. 3 Why is Windows Server 2016 security important? ............................................................................... 3 How does Windows Server 2016 help prevent and detect compromise? ........................................... 4 Additional resources ............................................................................................................................. 5 Build a secure foundation .............................................................................. 5 Stay current on Windows Server security updates ............................................................................... 5 Configure Windows Server security settings ........................................................................................ 6 The high-level process for obtaining and deploying the security baselines can be found in the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit 1.0. You can find out more about current Microsoft security guidance at Microsoft Security Guidance blog. .................................................................................... 7 Back up your information and systems ...............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • ASOC Security Bulletin
    Advanced Security Operations Center Telelink Business Services www.tbs.tech Monthly Security Bulletin August 2021 This security bulletin is powered by Telelink’s Advanced Security Operations Center The modern cybersecurity threat landscape is constantly evolving. New vulnerabilities and zero-day attacks are discovered every day. The old Why Advanced Security Operations vulnerabilities still exist. The tools to exploit these vulnerabilities are Center (ASOC) by Telelink? applying more complex techniques. But are getting easier to use. • Delivered as a service, which Mitigating modern cyber threats require solutions for continuous guarantees fast implementation, monitoring, correlation, and behavior analysis that are expensive and clear responsibility in the require significant amount of time to be implemented. Moreover, many Supplier and ability to cancel the organizations struggle to hire and retain the expensive security experts contract on a monthly basis. needed to operate those solutions and provide value by defending the • Built utilizing state of the art organizations. leading vendor’s solutions. The ASOC by Telelink allows organizations get visibility, control, and • Can be sized to fit small, recommendations on improving their security posture for a fixed and medium and large business predictable monthly fee. needs. • No investment in infrastructure, team, trainings or required technology. • Flexible packages and add-ons that allow pay what you need approach. • Provided at a fraction of the cost of operating your own SOC. LITE
    [Show full text]
  • Active Directory for the Security Professional
    Beyond the MCSE: Active Directory for the Security Professional Sean Metcalf Trimarc TrimarcSecurity.com Black Hat USA 2016 Table of Contents Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Differing Views of Active Directory ............................................................................................................... 5 Active Directory Components ....................................................................................................................... 6 Administration .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Forest ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Domains .................................................................................................................................................. 10 Schema .................................................................................................................................................... 10 Trusts ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 Sites, Subnets, & Replication .................................................................................................................. 13 Organizational
    [Show full text]
  • What Is Azure Advanced Threat Protection (Azure ATP)?
    Contents Azure Advanced Threat Protection Documentation Overview What is Azure Advanced Threat Protection? Azure ATP architecture Azure ATP prerequisites What's new in Azure ATP Quickstarts Plan your Azure ATP capacity Create your Azure ATP instance Connect to Active Directory Download the Azure ATP sensor package Install the Azure ATP sensor Configure the Azure ATP sensor Tutorials Reconnaissance alerts Compromised credential alerts Lateral movement alerts Domain dominance alerts Exfiltration alerts Investigate a user Investigate a computer Investigate lateral movement paths Investigate entities Concepts Azure ATP portal Azure ATP security alerts Monitored activities Understanding entity profiles Lateral movement paths Understanding Network Name Resolution (NNR) Reports User roles Azure ATP multi-forest support How-to guides Azure ATP using Microsoft Cloud App Security Use Azure ATP with Cloud App Security Filter activities and set policies Security alert lab Lab overview 1 - Lab setup 2 - Reconnaissance playbook 3 - Lateral movement playbook 4 - Domain dominance playbook Understanding security alerts Manage security alerts Exclude entities from detections Manage sensitive accounts Search and filter monitored activities Use exclusions and honeytoken accounts Monitor domain controllers Change domain connectivity password Set Azure ATP notifications Health alerts Work with Azure ATP health center Manage Azure ATP health alerts Azure ATP sensor delayed update Troubleshooting known issues Troubleshoot using logs Integrate with Windows Defender
    [Show full text]
  • Windows 7 Security
    CS140M Fall 2014 Objectives • Background • Windows Security Architecture Windows 7 Security • Windows Vulnerabilities • Means of Evaluating Metrics • System Hardening By Al Lake – Windows Defenses Fall 2014 • OS Security Capabilities CS 140M LBCC • Conclusion CS140M Fall 2014 Lake 2 Background: Operating System Market Share (September 2014 – netmarketshare.com) Desktop OS Market Share OS Percentage Windows 92% Mac OS X/iOS 6% Linux (Android) 2% CS140M Fall 2014 Lake 3 CS140M Fall 2014 Lake 4 Windows Background Windows Security Architecture • Advantages • Security Reference Monitor – User friendly • Local Security Authority – Enhancements can help millions of users • Security Account Manager – Defects found quickly because of widespread use • Active Directory • Disadvantages • Local vs. Domain Accounts – Security defects can leave millions vulnerable • Access Control Lists – Non‐technical user‐base • Integrity Control – Industry dominance leaves MS handcuffed ‐ any move to expand capabilities seen as anticompetitive • User Account Controls CS140M Fall 2014 Lake 5 CS140M Fall 2014 Lake 6 Lake CS140M Fall 2014 Local Security Policy Security Reference Monitor (SRM) • Kernel Mode Component that – Performs Access Checks – Generates Audit Log Entries – Manipulates User Privileges CS140M Fall 2014 Lake 7 CS140M Fall 2014 Lake 8 Local Security Authority (LSA) Security Account Manager (SAM) • Responsible for enforcing local security policy – Lsass.exe – User mode • A database that • A Microsoft Windows file stored in stores user the c:\windows\system32 short for Local Security Authority Subsystem accounts and local Service and has the file description: users and groups LSA shell. security • Lsass.exe is responsible for how information Microsoft Windows handles security • SamSrv.exe and security related policies, authority domain authentication, and Active Directory management on your computer.
    [Show full text]
  • Credential Dumping.Pdf
    www.hackingarticles.in Page | 1 Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................... 7 What is Credential Dumping? ...................................... 7 Credential Dumping in Real Life .................................. 7 Credential Dumping: Wireless ....................................... 9 Manual Credential Dumping ........................................ 9 Credential Dumping using netsh .................................. 10 Credential Dumping using WirelessKeyView ........................ 12 Credential Dumping using Wifi Network Properties ................ 13 Credential Dumping using LaZagne ................................ 14 Credential Dumping using Mimikatz ............................... 15 Credential Dumping using Metasploit Framework ................... 16 Credential Dumping: Group Policy Preferences (GPP) ................ 18 What is Group Policy Preferences? ............................... 18 Why using GPP to create a user account is a bad Idea? ........... 18 Create an Account in Domain Controller with GPP ................. 19 Exploiting Group Policy Preferences via Metasploit-I ............ 21 Exploiting Group Policy Preferences via Metasploit -II .......... 22 Gpp-Decrypt ..................................................... 24 GP3finder ....................................................... 26 PowerShell Empire ............................................... 26 Windows Powershell .............................................. 27 Credential Dumping: Windows Credential Manager ...................
    [Show full text]