Let’s unpack Mimikatz, a powerful and controversial tool in the world of cybersecurity.

🛡️ What Is Mimikatz?

Mimikatz is an open-source Windows security tool created by Benjamin Delpy. Originally developed to demonstrate vulnerabilities in Windows authentication systems, it has become one of the most widely used tools for both ethical hacking and malicious attacks.

🧰 What Can Mimikatz Do?

Mimikatz specializes in extracting credentials from Windows systems. Here are its key capabilities:

• Extract plaintext passwords, hashes, PINs, and Kerberos tickets from memory
• Pass-the-hash: Use NTLM hash to authenticate without knowing the password
• Pass-the-ticket: Use Kerberos tickets to impersonate users
• Overpass-the-hash: Combine hash and key techniques to escalate privileges
• Create Golden Tickets: Forge Kerberos tickets using domain credentials
• Dump credentials from LSASS: A process that stores sensitive login data

🧪 Ethical vs. Malicious Use

• Ethical hackers and penetration testers use Mimikatz to identify and fix vulnerabilities in networks.
• Threat actors use it to steal credentials and move laterally across systems—often undetected by antivirus software.

⚙️ How Is It Used?

Mimikatz is typically run from the command line or embedded in scripts. Common modules include:

privilege::debug
sekurlsa::logonpasswords
kerberos::list /export
lsadump::sam

These commands allow users to elevate privileges, extract credentials, and manipulate authentication tokens.

🚨 Is It a Virus?

Technically, Mimikatz is not a virus, but it’s classified as a hacktool or malware when used maliciously. It’s legal for research and testing, but illegal if used to steal data without permission.

🔒 Defense Against Mimikatz

To protect against Mimikatz:

• Disable WDigest authentication
• Use Credential Guard and LSASS protection
• Apply least privilege principles
• Monitor for unusual access to LSASS.exe
• Keep systems patched and updated

Here’s a full breakdown of how to use Mimikatz ethically and how to defend against it to protect your systems.

🧪 How to Use Mimikatz for Ethical Testing

Mimikatz is a powerful post-exploitation tool used by penetration testers to simulate real-world attacks. Here’s how to use it responsibly:

✅ Prerequisites

• Explicit permission from the system owner
• Windows machine (Windows 7, 10, 11, or Server)
• Administrative privileges
• Antivirus disabled temporarily (Mimikatz is often flagged)

🛠️ Setup Steps

1. Download Mimikatz from GitHub
2. Extract the ZIP and run mimikatz.exe from an elevated Command Prompt
3. Start with:

   privilege::debug
   

🔍 Common Ethical Commands

🎓 Learn More

Watch this step-by-step tutorial or explore this advanced guide.

🛡️ How to Defend Against Mimikatz

Because Mimikatz targets credential storage in memory, defense requires hardening systems and limiting access.

🔒 Key Defense Strategies

1. Disable WDigest

Prevents storing plaintext passwords in memory:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\WDigest
UseLogonCredential = 0

2. Enable LSASS Protection

Run LSASS as a protected process:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
RunAsPPL = 1

3. Use Credential Guard

Windows 10+ feature that isolates secrets from attackers.

4. Limit Admin Privileges

Only grant elevated access to users who truly need it.

5. Disable Debug Privileges

Prevent attackers from accessing LSASS via SeDebugPrivilege.

6. Monitor LSASS Access

Use endpoint detection tools to flag suspicious behavior.

7. Patch and Update Systems

Older Windows versions are more vulnerable to Mimikatz.

🎥 Learn More

Check out this defense walkthrough or read CSO Online’s guide.