The Hidden Risk: How Attackers Target Your Active Directory (and How to Stop Them)
Trellix, Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026
Trellix breaks down the five-phase attack chain used to steal Active Directory's NTDS.dit password database.
Trellix outlines a five-phase attack chain attackers use to compromise Active Directory and steal an organization's NTDS.dit password database: initial phishing access, command-and-control setup, credential theft, lateral movement to the domain controller, and exfiltration.
Rather than relying on signature-based antivirus, the post explains that Trellix NDR uses behavior-based detection to flag suspicious actions such as unauthorized database copying and unusual data transfers.
It closes with five defensive recommendations, including restricting backup feature access, adding VIP protection for admin accounts, and monitoring outbound traffic for large file transfers.