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AD-KRBTGT-02: KRBTGT last logon should be investigated

ID AD-KRBTGT-02
Severity Info
Suite Active Directory (on-premises)
Product Active Directory
Feature Account security
Security area Authentication
Resource type User
MITRE ATT&CK T1078.001
Reads from On-premises Active Directory

The KRBTGT account is a service account that should never have interactive logons. It exists solely for the KDC service to use internally for Kerberos ticket operations. Any logon activity for this account may indicate:

Security Concerns:

  • Suspicious Activity: Interactive logons suggest potential compromise or misuse
  • Account Misuse: Administrators incorrectly attempting to use the account
  • Attack Indicators: Attackers may attempt to activate or use the account

The KRBTGT account should:

  • Always remain disabled (UAC = 514)
  • Never have interactive logons
  • Only be used internally by the KDC service

Operational

  1. Never enable the KRBTGT account:

    • Standard UAC should be 514 (disabled, normal account)
    • Enabling this account creates a significant security risk
  2. Monitor for logon attempts:

    • Any logon activity should be investigated immediately
    • Check security logs for attempted logons to this account
  3. Audit account changes:

    • Monitor for UAC changes
    • Alert on any modifications to the KRBTGT account

This test retrieves the KRBTGT account and checks:

  • Last logon timestamp (should be null/never)
  • Account enabled status (should be disabled)
  • Password last set date
  • Test-MtAdKrbtgtPasswordLastSet - Checks KRBTGT password age
  • Test-MtAdKrbtgtNonStandardUacCount - Validates KRBTGT UAC settings

Mito check. Author: soulemike. Open-source licences.

Open-source licences. CIS Benchmark material © Center for Internet Security, Inc.; CISA SCuBA baselines are public domain (CC0).

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