enum4linux-ng

BloodHound, smbmap and enum4linux-ng: Essential Tools for Starting Active Directory Penetration Testing

Active Directory remains the primary target in most internal penetration tests, regardless of how an attacker first gains network access. The article outlines a practical reconnaissance workflow that begins with identifying the domain name and domain controllers through port scanning for ports 88 and 389. Tools such as enum4linux-ng enable initial data collection without credentials by leveraging null sessions, while smbmap reveals readable and writable SMB shares that often contain SSH keys, certificates, and plaintext passwords. BloodHound, paired with collectors like SharpHound, maps relationships between users, groups, and computers to reveal attack paths toward Domain Admins. The piece stresses understanding Kerberos and NTLM protocols to apply techniques such as Kerberoasting, AS-REP Roasting, and pass-the-hash effectively rather than running commands blindly. It also covers quieter alternatives to noisy tools and provides a concise checklist for beginners, along with references to the Red September CyberED course on Active Directory attacks.