“The Sneaky Way Hackers Get into Your Network: Golden Ticket Attacks Explained in Layman’s Terms”

Paritosh
InfoSec Write-ups
Published in
3 min readMay 7, 2023

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Are you worried about cyber attacks and hackers getting into your network? One of the sneakiest ways they can do it is through something called a golden ticket. It’s a type of attack that lets hackers take control of your systems and steal your data without you even knowing it. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand what golden ticket attacks are and how you can defend yourself against them, even if you’re not a tech expert. So buckle up and get ready to learn how to keep your network safe!

What are golden tickets?
Golden tickets are a type of attack that hackers use to get into your network. They do this by exploiting a weakness in a computer program called Kerberos, which is used to keep your network safe. Once the hackers have a golden ticket, they can do whatever they want in your network, like stealing your data or taking control of your systems.

Photo by Jingming Pan on Unsplash

How do golden ticket attacks work?
Golden ticket attacks typically begin with the attacker gaining access to a domain controller, either through a phishing attack, a stolen credential, or a vulnerability in the system. Once the attacker has access to the domain controller, they can use the Mimikatz tool to extract the Kerberos key for the domain’s service account. With this key, the attacker can forge a golden ticket that looks legitimate to the network, granting them privileged access.

How to detect and defend against golden ticket attacks?
The key to defending against golden ticket attacks is to detect them early. One way to do this is by setting up golden ticket alerts, which monitor network activity for signs of a golden ticket attack. These alerts can be set up using a variety of tools.

In addition to setting up golden ticket alerts, there are several other best practices you can follow to defend against golden ticket attacks. These include:

  • Limiting the number of domain controllers and service accounts in your network to reduce the attack surface
  • Regularly monitoring your network for suspicious activity, such as failed logins or unusual resource access
  • Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security to your authentication process

Golden ticket attacks are a serious threat to your network, but with the right tools and practices, you can keep yourself safe. Remember, it’s important to be careful and to pay attention to what’s happening in your network. By doing that, you can stop hackers from getting in and protect your data and systems.

Thanks for reading our blog on golden ticket alerts! We hope you found it informative and useful. If you want to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks for keeping your network safe, be sure to follow our blog for more great content. And if you have any questions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and colleagues who might find it helpful too.

Let’s work together to keep our networks secure and protected from cyber attacks!

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