NTLM Information Detection Scanner

NTLM (New Technology LAN Manager) is a Microsoft authentication protocol used in various Windows environments. It serves as a Single Sign-On (SSO) mechanism for internal authentication. NTLM is still used in older systems and legacy applications where newer protocols like Kerberos are not supported. Administrators in enterprise environments typically use NTLM for backward compatibility. It plays a role in SMB (Server Message Block) communication for file sharing and resource access across Windows networks. Due to its legacy nature, its presence may indicate outdated or misconfigured authentication methods in modern environments.

NTLM detection involves identifying whether the NTLM protocol is enabled or exposed over a target's SMB services. The presence of NTLM may indicate a potential security misconfiguration, particularly in systems that do not require it. Attackers may exploit this exposure for credential relaying, brute-force attacks, or gathering information for lateral movement. The detection helps organizations identify systems still using this outdated protocol. Knowing whether NTLM is active aids in assessing the organization's security posture. The scanner helps security teams identify such legacy configurations before they are exploited.

This scanner uses SMB (port 445) to connect to the target system and determine if NTLM information is exposed. It sends a request through the SMB protocol and parses the NTLM response if present. The detection logic includes examining the returned NTLM object and confirming its existence. If a non-empty NTLM response is returned, the system is considered vulnerable to NTLM information exposure. This method does not authenticate but queries for basic protocol information. It serves as a passive reconnaissance technique for detecting protocol exposure.

If NTLM is exposed on a system, it may be used by attackers for credential harvesting or NTLM relay attacks. This can lead to lateral movement within a network or impersonation of users. Exposure may also increase susceptibility to brute-force attacks targeting NTLM challenge-responses. Misconfigured systems could leak authentication metadata without proper access controls. Attackers could use this data to map the network environment. Overall, NTLM exposure increases the attack surface of a networked system.

REFERENCES

• https://www.crowdstrike.com/cybersecurity-101/ntlm-windows-new-technology-lan-manager/