Post-Exploitation and Persistence

Post-Exploitation and Persistence

Establishing persistence ensures continued access despite reboots or detection of initial compromises. Registry run keys provide simple persistence executing payloads at user login. Scheduled tasks offer flexible persistence with various triggers. Service creation enables SYSTEM-level persistence but requires administrative access. WMI event subscriptions provide stealthy persistence difficult to detect without specialized tools.

Lateral movement preparation involves mapping network topology and identifying pivot opportunities. Enumerate domain trusts, network shares, and accessible systems. Cached credentials on compromised systems might enable access elsewhere. RDP session hijacking allows taking over existing administrative sessions. Build network maps documenting discovered relationships for efficient movement.

Data identification and exfiltration require understanding Windows file systems and common data locations. User profiles contain documents, browser data, and email archives. Network shares might expose sensitive organizational data. Database files, source code repositories, and backup locations provide high-value targets. Develop efficient search techniques balancing thoroughness with operational security.

Defense evasion on Windows involves understanding detection mechanisms and bypassing them. Disable Windows Defender through registry modifications or PowerShell commands. Clear event logs to remove compromise evidence. Use living-off-the-land techniques leveraging built-in Windows tools to avoid antivirus detection. Understand common detection methods to develop effective evasion strategies.