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Mitigate Top 5 Microsoft Active Directory Vulnerabilities with Built-In feature of Active Directory & Entra ID

Protecting a Microsoft Active Directory (AD) environment is vital for any organization since AD is the central framework of identity and access management, overseeing authentication and authorization for all users and devices within the network.

A breached AD can result in unauthorized access, data leaks, and lateral movement by attackers, potentially causing severe financial, reputational, and operational harm. Securing AD safeguards critical assets, ensures regulatory compliance, and maintains trust, protecting the entire IT infrastructure from advanced cyber threats.

Here’s a rundown of the top five common but very important vulnerabilities in Microsoft Active Directory (AD) and their mitigations with the help of native tools (built in features).

Weak or Compromised Passwords

Weak or compromised passwords remain a prevalent vulnerability. Attackers often exploit this through brute force or dictionary attacks.

Mitigation

Enforce Strong Password Policies:

Configuration Settings in AD Server: Group Policy Path: Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Account Policies → Password Policy.

  • Minimum password length (e.g., at least 12 characters)
  • Password complexity requirements
  • Maximum password age (e.g., 90 days)
  • Enforce password history

Implement Account Lockout Policies:

Configuration Settings in AD Server: Group Policy Path: Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Account Policies → Account Lockout Policy.

  • Account lockout threshold (e.g., 5 invalid attempts)
  • Account lockout duration
  • Reset account lockout counter after (e.g., 15 minutes)
  • Enable Password Expiry Notifications: Ensure users are notified before their passwords expire.

Unconstrained Delegation

Unfiltered delegation allows a service to impersonate a user to any service, which can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to services and data.

Mitigation

Disable Unconstrained Delegation:

Configuration Steps in AD Server: Use `Get-ADComputer` and `Get-ADUser` PowerShell cmdlets to identify accounts with unconstrained delegation (`TrustedForDelegation` property).

  • Reconfigure these accounts to use constrained delegation or remove delegation if not necessary.
  • Use Constrained Delegation with Protocol Transition: Configure services to use constrained delegation with protocol transition where needed.
  • Use ADUC tool to modify the delegation settings for the relevant accounts.

Lateral Movement Through Pass-the-Hash (PtH) Attacks

In PtH attacks, attackers capture hashed credentials and use them to authenticate to other services, moving laterally within the network.

Mitigation

Restrict Administrative Privileges:

Configuration Steps in AD Server: Group Policy Path: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Guard → Turn on Virtualization Based Security.

  • Use Tiered Administrative Model:
  • Implement a tiered administrative model.
  • Minimize the Number of Domain Admins:
  • Limit Domain Admin privileges and use dedicated accounts for administrative tasks.
  • Enable Windows Defender Credential Guard:
  • Protect credential information from being stolen.
  • Implement Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS): Manages and randomizes the local administrator password for domain-joined computers.
  • Deploy LAPS using Group Policy to set and enforce the local admin password policy.

Insecure LDAP Bindings

Insecure LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) bindings can be intercepted and manipulated by attackers, potentially exposing sensitive information.

Mitigation

Require LDAP Signing:

Configuration Steps in AD Server: Group Policy Path: Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Security Settings → Local Policies → Security Options → Domain controller: LDAP server signing requirements.

  • Settings to Configure: Require signing (always).
  • Enable LDAPS (LDAP over SSL): Configure Active Directory to use LDAPS to encrypt LDAP traffic.
  • Ensure certificates are properly installed on domain controllers.
  • Configure clients and services to connect using LDAPS.

Excessive Permissions and Privileged Account Misuse

Excessive permissions and improper use of privileged accounts can lead to unauthorized access and lateral movement.

Mitigation

Implement Least Privilege Access: Use built-in tools like `Get-ADUser` and `Get-ADGroupMember` PowerShell cmdlets to review membership in privileged groups

  • Regularly review and audit permissions to ensure they are granted on a need-to-know basis.
  • Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to manage permissions more effectively.
  • Use Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs): Designate secure, hardened workstations for administrative tasks.
  • Regularly Audit Privileged Accounts:
  • Conduct periodic reviews of privileged account usage and activity.

Important Note: While these native mitigations can enhance security, we recommend that you implement layered security approach along with ‘Active Directory Auditing & Monitoring’ feature. You can generate reports, monitor service health, manage permissions and RBAC which will provide deeper insights and faster detection of suspicious activity.

Contact us to see how we can strengthen your Identity infrastructure protection.

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