ADCS

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is a Windows Server role that enables organizations to establish and manage a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). It issues, renews, and revokes digital certificates (X.509), which secure communications, authenticate users/devices, and support encryption, digital signatures, email (S/MIME), SSL/TLS, VPN, smart cards, and code signing

Key components include:

• Certification Authorities (CAs): Root and subordinate CAs that issue certificates.

• Certificate templates and enrollment policies: Define certificate types and who can enroll.

• Web Enrollment & Services: Interfaces for requesting and automating certificate issuance.

• Online Responder (OCSP) & CRLs: Provide real-time revocation checking.

• Network Device Enrollment Service (NDES): Enables routers and IoT devices to get certificates

Tightly integrated with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), AD CS can use group policies and directory info to streamline automated enrollment, ensure consistent identity binding, and simplify certificate lifecycle management

However, misconfigurations in certificate templates or web enrollment can introduce serious security vulnerabilities—such as enabling NTLM‑relay attacks—so following best practices is vital

In essence, AD CS provides a cost‑effective, scalable, and secure solution to manage digital identities and secure communications across large Windows environments.

⚠️IMPORTANT: I won't be showcasing unreleased ESC expliots in HTB. All vulnerabilities shown here are already released on HTB, but leaving them here for you be creative and maybe chain something up to make something harder!

Written by ruycr4ft