With no valid credentials, use anonymous LDAP queries or specialized tools to enumerate valid domain usernames. Username Enumeration
net user hacker Password123! /add /domain net group "Exchange Windows Permissions" hacker /add
echo "10.10.10.161 forest.htb" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts forest hackthebox walkthrough best
The group possesses WriteDacl rights over the domain object. This specific permission allows you to grant yourself replication privileges. Granting DCSync Permissions
The scan reveals standard Active Directory and domain controller ports: Resolves domain names. Port 88 (Kerberos): Handles authentication. With no valid credentials, use anonymous LDAP queries
The output will contain the NTLM password hashes for all domain users, including the domain administrator. We are looking for the Administrator hash.
Several key ports stand out: Kerberos on port 88, LDAP on 389, SMB on 445, and importantly, WinRM on 5985. The presence of Kerberos and LDAP strongly suggests that Forest is a Windows Domain Controller. Let's confirm the domain name htb.local and the hostname FOREST.htb.local . Once confirmed, add them to your /etc/hosts file: This specific permission allows you to grant yourself
Because SMB null sessions and guest logins are disabled, use RPCClient to query the domain anonymously. This allows you to harvest valid domain usernames. rpcclient -U "" -N 10.10.10.161 Use code with caution.
Start with an Nmap scan to identify open ports and services.