Understanding NTLM Attacks: Relay and Hash Capturing

In the realm of network security, understanding potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors is crucial. Two such attack vectors associated with the Windows NTLM authentication protocol are NTLM Relay Attacks and NetNTLMv2 Hash Capturing. This article delves into the technical intricacies of these attacks, providing a theoretical backdrop and mitigation strategies.

NTLM Relay Attack

Theoretical Scenario:

Imagine a corporate environment at “TechCorp” with two servers: ServerA (a file server) and ServerB (a database server). Alice, an employee, wishes to access a shared folder on ServerA.

In our “TechCorp” environment, ServerA and ServerB might have different levels of security or access to different types of data. While Alice has legitimate access to ServerA, she might not have the same permissions on ServerB. The attacker’s goal is to exploit Alice’s credentials to gain unauthorized access to ServerB.

Delving Deeper into the Attack Steps:

1. Network Positioning: For the attack to be successful, the attacker needs to position themselves in a place where they can intercept traffic. This could be achieved through techniques like ARP poisoning, which allows the attacker to become the “man in the middle.”
2. Interception & Relay: When Alice tries to access ServerA, her machine starts the NTLM authentication process. The attacker intercepts this process and, instead of forwarding Alice’s response to ServerA, they relay it to ServerB.
3. Exploiting Trust Relationships: Often, machines in a network trust each other. If ServerB trusts the authentication coming from Alice (even if relayed maliciously), the attacker gains access.

Why is this Attack Significant?

The real danger of an NTLM Relay Attack is that the attacker doesn’t need to know or crack Alice’s password. They merely use her existing, legitimate credentials to gain unauthorized access elsewhere.

Technical Nuances:

• Protocols Vulnerable: While we’ve discussed this in the context of SMB (Server Message Block), other protocols like HTTP can also be vulnerable to NTLM Relay Attacks.
• No Passwords Captured: Unlike other attacks where the goal is to capture passwords, here the attacker is merely relaying the authentication. They never actually see or obtain Alice’s password.

Mitigation Strategies:

1. SMB Signing: Enabling SMB signing ensures that all SMB traffic is digitally signed, preventing tampering and relaying.
2. Use of Kerberos: Kerberos is a more modern authentication protocol that is resistant to relay attacks. Transitioning to Kerberos where possible can mitigate the risk.
3. Isolate Sensitive Servers: Ensure that servers with sensitive data or capabilities are isolated and have additional security layers, reducing the chances of a successful relay attack.
4. Network Segmentation: By segmenting the network and controlling traffic between segments, organizations can reduce the potential for man-in-the-middle positions that make relay attacks possible.

Technical Breakdown:

• NTLM relay attacks exploit the challenge-response mechanism of NTLM authentication.
• Upon Alice’s request to ServerA, a challenge is sent back. Alice responds with an encrypted version of her password (the NTLM hash) based on this challenge.
• Bob can relay this response to ServerB. If both servers issue identical challenges (or if predictable), the relayed credentials will be valid.
• Mitigation: Enforce SMB signing to ensure message integrity between client and server. This detects and prevents relayed messages.

Capturing NetNTLMv2 Hash for Offline Cracking

Theoretical Scenario:

In the same corporate environment, Alice logs into her workstation daily. Bob, with malicious intent, aims to access Alice’s account but lacks her password.

How the Attack Unfolds:

1. Hash Capture: Bob sets up a rogue server on the network, luring Alice into connecting (perhaps via a deceptive email link). Upon connection, Alice’s machine attempts NTLM authentication, transmitting her NetNTLMv2 hash.
2. Offline Cracking: Bob captures this hash, employing powerful tools to guess Alice’s password by generating and comparing hashes.

Technical Breakdown:

• NetNTLMv2 hash operates on a challenge-response mechanism. The server issues a challenge, and the client responds with a hash, a blend of the user’s password and the challenge.
• Tools like Responder can capture NetNTLMv2 hashes on local networks.
• Post-capture, tools like Hashcat or John the Ripper can crack the hash. Modern GPUs enable billions of password guesses in minimal time.
• Mitigation: Adopt long, intricate passwords and implement multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of successful hash cracking.

Conclusion

NTLM vulnerabilities underscore the importance of robust network security practices. By understanding these attack vectors, organizations can better defend against them, ensuring data integrity and safeguarding user credentials. Regular network audits, user education, and stringent security configurations are paramount in this ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.