The “Windows Downdate” vulnerability, identified and demonstrated by researcher Anon Leviev, is a downgrade attack technique that leverages Windows Update mechanisms to reintroduce older, vulnerable versions of system files. By circumventing normal update verification checks, this attack allows malicious actors to downgrade essential system components like the Windows kernel, Hyper-V hypervisor, and other critical drivers,…
Post-exploitation in red teaming involves navigating and exploiting a compromised system to achieve deeper control and further access to sensitive data and networks. This phase follows initial access and lateral movement, focusing on persistence, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration. Key techniques include system enumeration to gather information such as running processes, installed software, and user…
“ROP Gadget Unleashed” delves into the intricacies of Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) and its significance in modern exploitation techniques. The article elucidates how attackers leverage existing code snippets, or “gadgets,” within a program’s memory to craft malicious payloads, thus circumventing traditional security mechanisms like Data Execution Prevention (DEP). By chaining these gadgets together, which typically end…
Overview System Binary Proxy Execution leverages legitimate Windows binaries (e.g., rundll32.exe, mshta.exe) to execute malicious code. These binaries are trusted by the OS, allowing attackers to bypass security controls like antivirus and application whitelisting by using these tools to proxy malicious actions. Historical Context This technique gained prominence as security defenses improved. Traditional malware detection…
1. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) 1.1 What is AI? Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems. These processes include learning (acquiring information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions), and self-correction. AI can handle tasks that typically require…
DLL hijacking is a technique where an attacker exploits the way applications load Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) in Windows. When an application is launched, it searches for necessary DLLs in specific directories. If an attacker places a malicious DLL with the same name as a legitimate one in a directory that’s searched first, the application…
Red teamers, who are cybersecurity professionals specializing in emulating potential attackers to test the defenses of an organization, rely on a variety of gadgets and devices to conduct their activities. The Hacker’s Hardware Toolkit on GitHub, curated by yadox666, offers an extensive list of such tools, emphasizing their practical applications in security assessments. Among the…
Wireless Technology and Frequency Spectrum Overview Understanding the frequency spectrum and its various applications is crucial for professionals working with wireless technologies. This document outlines the frequency ranges and associated technologies, providing insights into their usage and characteristics. Frequency Bands and Technologies Tools and Commands To work effectively with these frequencies and technologies, various tools…
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the tools and techniques employed by both defenders and attackers are constantly advancing. Among the myriad of tools available, Mimikatz stands out as a particularly powerful and versatile utility that has become a staple in the arsenals of both security professionals and malicious actors. Developed by Benjamin Delpy, Mimikatz…
Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is a crucial component of enterprise security infrastructure, providing services for public key cryptography. However, misconfigurations and vulnerabilities within AD CS can be exploited for domain escalation, persistence, and certificate theft. These exploits leverage weaknesses in certificate templates, enrollment services, access control lists (ACLs), and other AD CS components….
Introduction SIM Swap attacks are well known to cybersecurity professionals. They allow an attacker to take control of the victim’s SIM card, enabling them to validate online payments or change the victim’s account passwords. This type of attack is widespread and has caused significant damage worldwide. Recently, in January 2024, the X account of the…
In the ongoing battle between attackers and defenders within the realm of cybersecurity, understanding and mitigating persistence techniques is paramount. “Pwning the Domain” is a comprehensive series dedicated to exploring various methods employed by malicious actors to maintain unauthorized access within Windows domain environments. This article focuses specifically on persistence techniques, shedding light on the…