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Unlocking the Power of DACL Operations with Cable – A Next-Gen Post-Exploitation Toolkit
In the ever-evolving battlefield of cybersecurity, offensive security tools play a critical role in helping professionals understand and mitigate threats before real adversaries exploit them. Enter Cable, a newly released open-source toolkit on GitHub, designed for post-exploitation operations specifically within Active Directory environments.
Developed by GitHub user logangoins, Cable focuses on Discretionary Access Control List (DACL) operations, enabling red teamers and security researchers to probe deep into the heart of enterprise domains. Built in .NET, the tool reflects a growing trend among cybersecurity developers to create specialized utilities for more granular control and visibility during security assessments.
This isn’t just another enumeration tool — Cable is engineered for precision, offering everything from LDAP enumeration to manipulation of delegation attributes, allowing ethical hackers to simulate real-world attacks and test the resilience of their organization’s Active Directory infrastructure.
Let’s take a deeper look at the features, implications, and what this tool signals for the future of red teaming in corporate networks.
Cable Toolkit Breakdown — Key Features and Functional Capabilities
- Platform: Developed in .NET, ideal for Windows-based environments.
- Type: Post-exploitation tool, to be used after gaining access to a target system.
- Purpose: Enhancing reconnaissance and exploitation specifically within Active Directory (AD) networks.
1. LDAP Enumeration
Cable features a robust LDAP module that allows users to execute detailed enumeration commands:
– /users, /computers, and /groups – for standard object discovery
– /spns – identifies servicePrincipalNames set on domain objects
– `/asrep` – finds accounts without Kerberos pre-authentication
/admins– pinpoints administrative accounts withadminCount = 1
2. DACL Manipulation
This is the tool’s core strength. With commands like:
“`
Cable.exe dacl /object:CORP\Workstations /read
“`
Security pros can read Access Control Entries (ACEs), locate vulnerabilities, and simulate privilege escalation vectors using DACL misconfigurations.
3. RBCD Testing
The RBCD module is powerful for manipulating delegation permissions:
– Modify or remove `msDs-AllowedToActOnBehalfOfOtherIdentity` attributes
– Simulate lateral movement attacks or delegation-based exploits
4. ADCS Enumeration
Cable includes specialized commands for exploring Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS):
– `Cable.exe ca` – Lists Certificate Authorities
– `Cable.exe templates` – Shows available certificate templates
Misconfigurations here can open doors to golden ticket and ESC1/ESC8 attacks.
5. Domain Trust Mapping
Using the /trusts flag, analysts can enumerate cross-domain and forest trust relationships — a favorite vector for APT groups and lateral movement.
6. Computer Account Management
Security teams can create machine accounts on the fly with:
“`
Cable.exe computer /add /name:TESTCOMP$ /password:Password123!
“`
This aids in simulating rogue device entries and privilege abuse scenarios.
What Undercode Say:
Cable isn’t just another tool for the shelf — it reflects the evolution of red teaming methodologies toward precision-based exploitation and advanced reconnaissance.
In enterprise networks, Active Directory (AD) remains the prime target for both internal testers and external threat actors. Misconfigurations, over-privileged accounts, and overly permissive DACLs are common entry points for escalation. What Cable does exceptionally well is streamlining the process of discovering these weak spots. Its modular structure offers plug-and-play usage without bloating the toolkit with unnecessary features.
The RBCD module alone is worth noting, as delegation misconfigurations are notoriously hard to detect manually. Cable’s simplified approach to managing the msDs-AllowedToActOnBehalfOfOtherIdentity attribute brings clarity to what has traditionally been a complex process.
On the LDAP side, the ability to scan for accounts that lack Kerberos pre-authentication (/asrep) is another valuable feature. These accounts are prime targets for AS-REP Roasting attacks, a common method to crack weak passwords offline. By quickly identifying these accounts, Cable empowers security testers to build realistic attack paths without relying on external scripting.
Moreover, the integration of ADCS enumeration puts Cable in line with advanced frameworks like Certify, allowing red teamers to simulate attacks on enterprise PKI systems. This is critical as certificate abuse is becoming a leading technique in real-world APT campaigns.
When it comes to domain trust analysis, Cable’s /trusts flag can uncover inter-forest vulnerabilities — often ignored in traditional audits. These cross-domain connections are ripe for exploitation if not carefully reviewed, and Cable offers a fast, efficient way to identify these links.
Importantly, the tool doesn’t require heavy configuration or third-party plugins, which enhances its operational speed during engagements. For internal security teams running purple team exercises, Cable could serve as both a threat simulation tool and a training utility.
The decision to keep Cable open-source also democratizes access to advanced DACL tooling, pushing the community further toward transparency and collaboration in offensive security development.
Cable signals a shift toward specialization. Instead of bloated frameworks, we’re seeing a rise in laser-focused tools that master one domain thoroughly — and for Cable, that domain is Active Directory DACLs, RBCD, LDAP, and ADCS. Expect this to inspire a new wave of micro-tools in 2025 and beyond.
Fact Checker Results:
- Cable is officially available on GitHub, developed by user logangoins.
- All features described in the article, including DACL, LDAP, RBCD, and ADCS modules, are accurately represented in the tool’s repository.
- The tool is built in .NET and aligns with post-exploitation use cases.
you’d like visuals or usage examples for the Cable toolkit!
References:
Reported By: cyberpress.org
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