• Posted by: Eng. Donya Bino
• October 12, 2025

Active Directory Enumeration and Why It Matters

When we talk about internal attacks or red team exercises, one of the first things that comes up is Active Directory. It’s the core of most corporate networks, managing users, permissions, and access to nearly every system. Because of that, attackers love it. If they can understand how your AD is built, they can usually find a way to move deeper inside.

What Enumeration Really Means
Active Directory enumeration is simply information gathering. The attacker is not breaking anything yet; they’re just trying to learn how everything connects. It’s like walking into a building and quietly reading the office nameplates to figure out who works where.

During this stage, they collect usernames, group memberships, domain controllers, and trust relationships. The more they know, the easier it becomes to plan the next move.

How Attackers Usually Do It
The funny part is, most of this can be done with tools that already exist inside Windows. Commands like net user, net group, or PowerShell scripts can reveal a lot. More advanced tools like BloodHound or PowerView make it easier to visualize everything, showing which accounts or systems might lead to admin privileges.

How Defenders Can Stay Ahead
The best defense starts with visibility. Monitor PowerShell logs, look for abnormal LDAP queries, and make sure accounts have only the permissions they actually need. Review old accounts and disable what’s not in use. It sounds basic, but these small habits can make a big difference.

Also, red teams can help blue teams here, running controlled enumeration exercises to show how much information can be gathered without setting off alarms. That collaboration often leads to stronger, more realistic defenses.
Enumeration isn’t about hacking , it’s about understanding. The more you know about your own environment, the less an attacker can surprise you. That’s why both red and blue teams should treat this phase as a learning opportunity, not just a threat.