Simple AD Many security teams work hard to keep their environments safe, yet Active Directory still shows up as one of the first places attackers explore. Even well-managed environments have old accounts, loose settings, and small oversights that slip through daily routines. These issues often feel harmless, but they give attackers the chance to gain access without much effort.
The rise in identity-driven attacks shows how much attackers depend on weak directory settings. They know that most organizations do not review their configuration often. They also know that small mistakes can open the door to larger problems. This pattern appears in real incidents where attackers move through environments by abusing misconfigurations rather than breaking through strong controls. The good news is that most of these issues are easy to understand and easy to fix once teams know where to look.
This article focuses on simple Active Directory misconfigurations that cause major problems.
Accounts That Do Not Use Kerberos Pre-Authentication
Some accounts in AD still run without Kerberos pre-authentication. This usually happens when older systems remain in use or when service accounts rely on outdated workflows. Many teams keep this setting in place because it does not cause issues in day-to-day operations. The problem is that attackers look for this specific gap early in an intrusion because it gives them a direct way to request authentication data without knowing a password. Once they get that data, they try to crack it offline.
This is where AS-REP Roasting becomes relevant. Attackers use this method to take advantage of accounts that skip pre-authentication. When pre-authentication is missing, AD returns an encrypted response to anyone who asks for it. That response becomes the target of offline cracking attempts. When you look up AS-REP Roasting explained you get to know that the entire attack hinges on this single misconfiguration and that attackers use it to extract passwords without triggering strong alerts.
Teams benefit from finding these accounts and reviewing why the setting remains disabled. Most environments do not need it turned off anymore. Re-enabling pre-authentication closes an easy path that attackers continue to use because it works on accounts that no one has reviewed in years.
Stale or Abandoned Accounts Left in the Environment
Stale accounts appear when employees leave, systems retire, or projects end. These accounts often stay active because no one remembers they exist. Attackers rely on these accounts to avoid detection. An active but unused account does not draw attention during daily operations.
Security teams should review accounts that show no activity for long periods. Removing or disabling these accounts limits the chance that attackers can hide behind them. This simple step reduces the size of the attack surface with very little effort.
Password Policies That Allow Weak or Reused Credentials
Weak passwords remain a major entry point for attackers. Many environments still allow short or simple passwords because strict policies can frustrate users. This leads to passwords that attackers can guess or crack with basic tools. Reused passwords also increase risk when attackers find the same credential in more than one place.
A clear and balanced password policy helps reduce these risks. Longer passphrases are easier for users to remember and harder for attackers to break. Regular checks for reused passwords also help. These changes give attackers fewer chances to gain access through simple credential attacks.
Misconfigured Group Memberships That Increase Privilege
Group memberships in AD often grow without planning. A user may join a group to complete a task and never leave it. Over time, small changes in membership build up and give certain accounts far more access than expected. Attackers look for these groups because one membership change can shift the entire security model. Domain Admins, Backup Operators, and Account Operators are examples of groups that hold strong privileges.
Reviewing group membership helps teams understand who can do what in the environment. This includes checking nested groups, which can hide unwanted access. Removing users who no longer need the access lowers the chance of misuse. A regular audit cycle helps prevent privilege creep and reduces the number of accounts that attackers can target.
Unmonitored Changes to Sensitive Directory Objects
Active Directory holds objects that control how users and systems interact. When attackers enter the network, they often try to change group memberships, access control lists, or policies to strengthen their position. If no monitoring exists, these changes can stay hidden long enough for attackers to move through the network without notice.
Teams benefit from watching for changes to important objects such as domain controllers, privileged groups, and authentication policies. Alerts that trigger on unexpected activity help security teams respond before the issue spreads. Even basic monitoring tools give value because they show patterns that may signal misuse. This visibility helps defenders understand the impact of each change and act quickly.
The Risk of Legacy Protocols and Weak Encryption Settings
Some environments still allow older protocols like NTLM or weak encryption settings for Kerberos tickets. These settings remain for compatibility with older systems, but they create opportunities for attackers. NTLM relay attacks, for example, depend on the presence of legacy authentication. Weak encryption also helps attackers crack credentials faster once they collect authentication data.
Disabling older protocols reduces these risks. Teams can start by identifying which systems still rely on them. Newer systems support stronger encryption and do not need outdated methods. Updating these settings improves protection without major changes to daily operations. Taking a gradual approach allows teams to address compatibility issues as they arise.
Limited Visibility Into Directory Health Over Time
Many organizations check their AD configuration only during audits or assessments. These reviews help, but they provide only a snapshot. Misconfigurations can appear soon after the review and remain unnoticed until the next cycle. Attackers often exploit these gaps because they know that most environments do not monitor changes continuously.
Maintaining ongoing visibility helps detect issues as they occur. Tools that track changes in real time give teams the chance to fix problems before attackers find them. Even simple reporting on new accounts, group modifications, or policy updates offers clear benefits. Visibility helps teams understand how AD shifts and when those shifts create risk. When teams know what changed and when, they can respond faster and maintain a secure environment.
Active Directory stays at the center of identity for many organizations. This makes misconfigurations a serious concern because attackers depend on these gaps to move through a network. The most common issues come from small decisions that stay in place for long periods. These include weak passwords, unused accounts, broad permissions, outdated protocols, and missing oversight. Each issue may seem harmless on its own, but together they create an easy path for attackers.
Teams can reduce these risks by taking a steady and clear approach to review and correction. Regular checks, better visibility, and simple updates often remove the weaknesses that attackers use most. These improvements do not require complex tools or major redesigns. They only require attention to the details that shape how AD works each day. A clean and well-maintained directory gives teams a stronger defense and lowers the chance of a serious security event.
