Active Directory (Part 5)

By Ashwin Venugopal -

 







Basics

Group Policies

Group Policy Objects (GPOs) can centrally manage and configure settings for users and computers. They help the administrators in applying policies, configurations, and settings for specific users or groups of users in an Active Directory domain. It is one of the many powerful tools for system administrators that automate and synchronizes a process. These policies can be used to configure a wide range of settings, and some of them are:
  1. Security settings, such as password policy, account lockout policy, and auditing policy.
  2. Software deployment and updates.
  3. Network and connectivity settings.
  4. Desktop and taskbar settings.
  5. Internet Explorer settings.
  6. Folder redirection and roaming profiles.
  7. Remote access and VPN settings.
GPOs are very useful and can save time and reduce the risk of errors, because administrators do not have to manually configure each individual computer or user. They also allow easy roll back changes or application of updates to all affected computers and users at once.

However, if it is not used correctly, it may lead to serious consequences (like any other tool). Few ways that an attacker or penetration tester can leverage misconfigured GPOs to navigate through a network, they are:

  • Use and execute arbitrary code on targeted systems. If an attacker is capable of modifying a GPO to include a script or other executable, they can also successfully run that code on any system or systems that GPO applies to. It allows the attacker to execute malware or other malicious code on the targeted systems. 

  • Use of configured network settings like firewall rules and proxy settings. A misconfigured GPO can be used to bypass all the security controls or redirect network traffic to an attacker's server. 

  • Use granted permissions and privileges to users and groups. A misconfigured GPO can be used to grant attackers administrative privileges on targeted systems. This allows them to perform actions that they could not perform otherwise.

It is highly important to properly secure and configure GPOs to prevent attackers from leveraging them to navigate through a network. This can be done by setting strong passwords for GPOs, restricting access to GPOs, to ensure that they are properly configured.

Conclusion

This part of Active Directory talks about Group Policies and various ways that a threat can use as a leverage against a network. It also provides information about safeguarding the same via some effective methods. 
































































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