| name | exploiting-nopac-cve-2021-42278-42287 |
| description | Exploits the noPac Active Directory privilege-escalation chain (CVE-2021-42278 sAMAccountName spoofing plus CVE-2021-42287 KDC PAC confusion) using Impacket and secretsdump.py to escalate from a standard domain user to Domain Admin. Use when red-teaming or pentesting Active Directory to validate machine-account impersonation and DCSync-based credential dumping. |
| domain | cybersecurity |
| subdomain | red-teaming |
| tags | ["red-team","active-directory","nopac","cve-2021-42278","cve-2021-42287","privilege-escalation","domain-escalation"] |
| version | 1.0 |
| author | mahipal |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| d3fend_techniques | ["Platform Monitoring","Process Code Segment Verification","Stack Frame Canary Validation","Segment Address Offset Randomization","Process Analysis"] |
| nist_csf | ["ID.RA-01","GV.OV-02","DE.AE-07"] |
| mitre_attack | ["T1595","T1190","T1059","T1078","T1068"] |
Exploiting noPac (CVE-2021-42278 / CVE-2021-42287)
Legal Notice: This skill is for authorized security testing and educational purposes only. Unauthorized use against systems you do not own or have written permission to test is illegal and may violate computer fraud laws.
Overview
noPac is a critical exploit chain combining two Active Directory vulnerabilities: CVE-2021-42278 (sAMAccountName spoofing) and CVE-2021-42287 (KDC PAC confusion). Together, they allow any authenticated domain user to escalate to Domain Admin privileges, potentially achieving full domain compromise in under 60 seconds. CVE-2021-42278 allows an attacker to modify a machine account's sAMAccountName attribute to match a Domain Controller's name (minus the trailing $). CVE-2021-42287 exploits a flaw in the Kerberos PAC validation where the KDC, unable to find the renamed account, falls back to appending $ and issues a ticket for the Domain Controller account. Microsoft patched both vulnerabilities in November 2021 (KB5008380 and KB5008602), but many environments remain unpatched. The exploit was publicly released by cube0x0 and Ridter in December 2021.
When to Use
- When performing authorized security testing that involves exploiting nopac cve 2021 42278 42287
- When analyzing malware samples or attack artifacts in a controlled environment
- When conducting red team exercises or penetration testing engagements
- When building detection capabilities based on offensive technique understanding
Prerequisites
- Familiarity with red teaming concepts and tools
- Access to a test or lab environment for safe execution
- Python 3.8+ with required dependencies installed
- Appropriate authorization for any testing activities
Objectives
- Scan the target domain for noPac vulnerability (CVE-2021-42278/42287)
- Create or leverage a machine account with modified sAMAccountName
- Exploit the KDC PAC confusion to obtain a TGT for the Domain Controller
- Use the DC ticket to perform DCSync and dump domain credentials
- Achieve Domain Admin access from a standard domain user account
- Document the complete exploitation chain with evidence
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
- T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
- T1136.002 - Create Account: Domain Account
- T1078.002 - Valid Accounts: Domain Accounts
- T1558 - Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets
- T1003.006 - OS Credential Dumping: DCSync
Workflow
