Episode 54: Misconfigured and Dangerous Logon Scripts
Aug 16, 2023
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Misconfigured logon scripts pose significant security threats. The discussion highlights four real-world examples of how these scripts can be exploited. Risks include exposing sensitive credentials and creating malicious DNS entries. The conversation emphasizes the importance of managing logon scripts with appropriate tools like group policies. Best practices to secure these scripts and minimize vulnerabilities are shared, alongside insights on using 'Script Century' to identify issues. Access control for privileged accounts is also crucial for preventing exploitation.
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Quick takeaways
Misconfigured logon scripts often expose sensitive passwords in plaintext, significantly increasing the risk of unauthorized access and credential theft.
Addressing logon script vulnerabilities requires thorough inventory and remediation practices, emphasizing the elimination of unnecessary scripts and the assessment of permissions.
Deep dives
Risks of Misconfigured Logon Scripts
Logon scripts contain critical functions for automating tasks when users log in, but they can pose significant security risks if not properly configured. One major risk arises from including credentials in these scripts, often done to map network drives or allow software installations. This practice exposes sensitive passwords in plaintext, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access, especially when the scripts are executed under the context of administrative accounts. Additionally, misconfigured logon scripts that map to non-existent shares can enable attackers to create deceptive DNS entries, directing users to malicious resources and allowing for credential capture.
Unsafe Permissions and Execution Risks
Another significant concern with logon scripts lies in the execution of software from shared drives that have unsafe permissions. If a script installs applications that are stored on poorly secured shares, a malicious user could manipulate files within those shares to deploy harmful code. This scenario is exacerbated when the script runs under administrative privileges, resulting in potential network-wide code execution and privilege escalation. The implications of this include not only compromised systems but also difficulties in auditing user actions, as the logs may inaccurately reflect the identity of the credential holders.
Effective Remediation Strategies
Addressing the challenges posed by dangerous logon scripts requires a diligent approach to identification and remediation. Organizations should conduct a thorough inventory of their logon scripts to ensure they serve legitimate business purposes and to eliminate unnecessary scripts that could introduce vulnerabilities. It is critical to evaluate the permissions associated with shared resources that the scripts reference and to verify that no plain text credentials are used. Tools like 'Script Century' can aid in identifying these risks by scanning for misconfigurations, ultimately leading to better security practices.
In this episode we're talking about misconfigured and dangerous logon scripts. Spencer and Brad discuss 4 common examples, based on real-world engagements, of how logon scripts can be misconfigured and how they can allow for all sorts of bad things. Do you know what's hiding in your logon scripts? Read the blog post that goes along with this episode here: https://offsec.blog/hidden-menace-how-to-identify-misconfigured-and-dangerous-logon-scripts/