How to Install and Use Mimikatz

What is Mimikatz?

Mimikatz is a powerful open-source tool widely used by cybersecurity professionals for testing system security. It allows extracting plaintext passwords, hashes, PIN codes, and Kerberos tickets directly from the operating system’s memory. Due to its capabilities, Mimikatz is one of the most popular tools in the field of ethical hacking and penetration testing.

Who Uses Mimikatz and Why?

Mimikatz is utilized by information security specialists for:

• Security analysis – testing the level of protection against credential-based attacks.

• Vulnerability assessment – checking how securely passwords and Kerberos tickets are stored.

• Training and attack demonstrations – educating administrators and engineers on defense methods.

However, it is important to note that Mimikatz can also be used by malicious actors, for example:

• Pass-the-Hash and Pass-the-Ticket attacks – stealing credentials without knowing the actual password.

• Gaining unauthorized access – using stolen authentication data to access restricted resources.

• Post-exploitation – maintaining access after an initial system breach.

⚠ Important! Using Mimikatz for illegal purposes (such as hacking into unauthorized systems) violates laws and may result in criminal liability.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• A Windows system: Mimikatz is designed for Windows operating systems.
• Administrative privileges: You may need administrative rights to run certain features of Mimikatz.
• Antivirus software disabled or configured: Some antivirus solutions may flag Mimikatz as malicious. It may be necessary to disable them temporarily or add exceptions.

Step 1: Download Mimikatz

1. Visit the Official Repository: Go to the official Mimikatz GitHub repository: Mimikatz GitHub.
2. Download the Latest Release:
   • Navigate to the Releases section on GitHub.
   • Download the latest version of Mimikatz. Look for a file named mimikatz_trunk.zip or similar.
3. Extract the ZIP File:
   • Once downloaded, right-click on the ZIP file and select Extract All.
   • Choose a destination folder to extract the contents.

Step 2: Running Mimikatz

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
   • Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
   • Use the cd command to navigate to the directory where you extracted Mimikatz. For example:Navigate to Mimikatz Directory:
2. cd C:\Path\To\Mimikatz\x64


   Ensure you are in the directory containing the mimikatz.exe file.

3. • Type the following command to start Mimikatz:Launch Mimikatz:
   mimikatz.exe


   If you see the prompt with mimikatz #, it indicates that Mimikatz has launched successfully.

Step 3: Basic Commands in Mimikatz

Mimikatz has various commands that can be used to extract information from memory. Here are some common commands:

1. Getting Passwords

To retrieve plaintext passwords from memory, use the following command:

This command will display all user passwords stored in memory.

2. Dumping Credentials

To dump the credentials, use:

You can create a memory dump file using tools like Task Manager or ProcDump.

3. Extracting Kerberos Tickets

To extract Kerberos tickets, run:

This will list all Kerberos tickets available in the current session.

4. Exporting Credentials to a File

To export the credentials to a text file, you can redirect the output. For example:

This command will save the output to credentials.txt in the current directory.

Step 4: Advanced Usage

Mimikatz has various advanced functionalities for more in-depth security assessments:

• Golden Ticket Creation: Mimikatz can be used to create Kerberos Golden Tickets, which can impersonate any user in the domain.
• Pass-the-Hash Attacks: You can utilize Mimikatz to perform pass-the-hash attacks by leveraging NTLM hashes.
• Credential Dumping: Besides passwords, you can dump NTLM hashes using lsadump::sam and other credential storage locations.

Important Considerations

• Ethical Use: Always ensure you have permission to use Mimikatz in any environment. Unauthorized use can lead to legal consequences.
• Antivirus Interference: Many antivirus solutions flag Mimikatz as malicious. Be prepared to handle potential detections when running it.
• Testing Environment: It’s best to use Mimikatz in a controlled environment, such as a lab setup or a virtual machine, to avoid unintended consequences.

Conclusion

Mimikatz is an invaluable tool for security professionals, providing insights into password management and authentication vulnerabilities. By understanding how to install and use Mimikatz, security testers can effectively assess and enhance their organization’s security posture. Always remember to use such tools responsibly and ethically, ensuring compliance with legal standards and organizational policies.