Active Directory (AD) is a strong authentication and directory service used by organizations around the world. This ubiquity and power creates potential for exploitation. Insider threats offer some of the highest potential for destruction. Many internal users over-provision access and visibility to internal networks.
The insider’s access to the network and level of trust leads to inherent vulnerabilities. Network security is often focused on keeping attackers out, not on the security of existing users or potential vulnerabilities. Staying on top of potential threats means protecting against internal and external threats.
Active Directory vulnerabilities
Externally, a properly configured AD domain provides a secure authentication and authorization solution. However, complex social engineering and phishing email attacks can put existing AD users at risk. Once inside, attackers have many options for attacking Active Directory.
insecure device
With the rise of “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) comes increased complexity in device support and security. If a user connects an already compromised or poorly secured device, an attacker can easily gain access to the internal network.
Previously, attackers had to break in and install malicious devices. But now, users with compromised devices are doing the hard work for them. Additionally, many workers may also have smartphones and tablets connected to the network. This means that instead of her one work-issued laptop, his two or three users without the same security measures can use her devices.
over-provisioned access
Complicating internal security is a common problem with over-provisioned access. Rather than restricting access, organizations often tend to expand access. One useful act of solving a problem can have the unintended consequence of creating a potential attack vector.
For users who are also administrators, there is not always a highly secure “administrator” account created to separate different levels of access. Thus, the convenience of allowing administrative tasks through standard user accounts opens the door to widespread abuse by compromised highly privileged accounts.
Weak password policy
Many organizations, especially large ones, support a wide variety of applications and may have weak password policies. Not all applications are the same and some do not support the latest security standards. Examples of this include not supporting her TLS over his LDAP with LDAP signing or LDAPS.
Weak password policies coupled with lack of multi-factor authentication make it easy to crack the obtained hash using techniques such as Keberoasting via privileged internal accounts. This is in stark contrast to strong password policies and multi-factor authentication. This makes cracking hashes to gain access to systems and networks much more difficult.
Best practices for securing Active Directory
There are many best practices to follow to protect your Active Directory. Based on the security themes mentioned above, here are a few:
Training your users to identify potential phishing emails and social engineering attacks is essential. Additionally, users should not click on attachments and organizations should use systems that scan for malicious content. These countermeasures help reduce the risk of a successful attack.
But let’s assume that AD has already been compromised. Organizations can and should scrutinize permissions assigned to active and inactive or decommissioned users and systems. Is there a way to separate permissions from general user accounts and assign them to special administrator accounts with higher security levels?
Enabling multi-factor authentication with strong password policies is essential to creating the strongest protection available. Organizations need to enforce strong passwords, as many social engineering attacks rely on learning and compromising users’ external sites where reused passwords can be a stepping stone.
Keep Active Directory Secure with Specops Password Policy
A strong password policy underpins many of our security recommendations. The default Active Directory configuration and users tools are inadequate. To ensure users comply with her NIST, CJIS, PCI, etc. password policies and block weak passwords, the organization can use her Specops password policies. It allows organizations to create custom dictionary lists, block usernames, display names, specific words, consecutive characters, incremental passwords, and reuse parts of current passwords. while providing real-time feedback to the user.
The Compromised Password Protection add-on further enhances security by alerting users in real-time if their chosen password is on the list of compromised passwords. It also provides a deep scan to find over 3 billion of her compromised passwords on accounts across AD domains.
Protect Active Directory from insider threats
While it may be impossible to protect against all threats, a close examination of existing permission structures, active users, and the technical implementation of Active Directory can help organizations take long-term steps to protect their environment. You can walk. Specops Password Policy lets you take your password policy to the next level with compromised password protection and mandatory unique and secure passwords across the board.
