Attack Technique
LDAP Query
LDAP is a widely used protocol for managing users, devices, and services within a corporate environment. It's an important part of identity and access management, but can also be an avenue for attackers to conduct reconnaissance, escalate privileges, and exfiltrate data.
Definition
What is an LDAP query?
The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) query is a command that requests information from a directory service. It allows applications to quickly access and maintain data on services such as Active Directory, and is commonly used by organizations to manage user accounts, devices, and access control. It’s also a technique used by attackers to retrieve user credentials and other sensitive data.
How it works
How LDAP injection attacks work
An LDAP attack happens when an attacker injects malicious code into an LDAP query. Like SQL injections, it exploits the absence of proper input validation and allows the attacker to manipulate the query by adding special characters to alter its logic. As result, the attacker can:
- Bypass authentication: Attackers can manipulate queries to login without knowing actual usernames and passwords.
- Escalate privileges: Attackers use LDAP queries to identify service accounts and users with high privileges, and to leverage vulnerabilities or misconfigurations to escalate privileges.
- Exfiltrate data: Attackers use excessive or unusual LDAP queries to extract usernames, passwords, and other confidential data from the directory.
- Enumerate the directory: Attackers often use LDAP queries to enumerate user and group memberships, and to map out the AD environment.
- Harvest credentials: Malicious LDAP queries can be used to gather information about password policies, password expiration, and account lockout policies, enabling attackers to prepare for password attacks.
Information gathered during LDAP queries often aids attackers in planning and launching more sophisticated tactics. In extreme cases, an attacker seeks to gain full control over directory services, resulting in widespread access to network resources and systems.
Why attackers use it
Why attackers target LDAP directories
Attackers target LDAP directories because they often contain sensitive information about user accounts and network structure. LDAP queries are used in the early stages of an attack as a way to gather details on users, groups, computers and other objects within a directory service.
Platform Detections
How to prevent and detect LDAP query threats
The most important step security teams can take to stop malicious LDAP search queries is threat detection and response. However, several prevention measures can help mitigate the threat of LDAP-based threats. These include:
- Role-based access controls (RBAC): Restrict which accounts can perform LDAP queries and limit access to sensitive attributes. Only privileged accounts should have access to critical information like group memberships and password attributes.
- Network segmentation: Separate sensitive directory services from general network traffic to make it more difficult for attackers to move laterally and query your LDAP server.
- Encryption: Ensure LDAP traffic is encrypted using LDAP over SSL (LDAPS) to prevent interception or tampering during transmission.
- Strong authentication and monitoring: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for privileged accounts and monitor activity closely. This makes it more difficult for attackers to use stolen credentials to perform LDAP queries.
- Frequent audits: Regularly audit LDAP permissions and query patterns to ensure there are no misconfigurations or signs of abuse.
Once an attacker gains access to the network, you have minutes to detect and respond to threats before they result in a full-blown breach. The key is to analyze LDAP traffic in real time, allowing security analysts to identify and address Active Directory threats rapidly.
One way to do this is by monitoring and logging LDAP traffic. Regularly collect and analyze LDAP logs for unusual patterns. Some organizations rely on SIEMs to flag suspicious queries based on predefined rules.
However, a more effective method is to leverage AI-driven behavioral analytics to detect suspicious LDAP queries. The Vectra AI Platform does this by building a baseline of normal LDAP activity, which it can then use to flag deviations that indicate potential malicious activity.
No items found.