Internal All The Things: Tools and Bypasses for Internal Security Testing

Summary: PayloadsAllTheThings has published Internal All The Things, a compilation of tools and techniques for internal security testing in Active Directory.

In the world of offensive cybersecurity and pentesting, there are resources that become essential. One such resource is Internal All The Things, an exhaustive collection of techniques, tools, and methodologies focused on internal attacks within corporate systems and networks.

This repository, maintained by the community and widely used by Red Team professionals, Bug Bounty hunters, and security auditors, does not focus on the initial phase of intrusion but rather what happens after gaining access: privilege escalation, lateral movement, and persistence.

What is Internal All The Things?
It is a structured technical guide that covers multiple real-world attack scenarios. Its practical approach includes examples, commands, and methodologies applicable directly.

Among its main areas are:
- Privilege escalation in Windows and Linux
- System, user, and service enumeration
- Abuse of credentials and tokens
- Persistence on compromised systems
- Attacks against Active Directory
- Pivoting and lateral movement

The content organization allows it to be used both as a learning material and reference during security tests.

Focus on post-exploitation
One of the most relevant aspects of the repository is its specialization in the post-exploitation phase. It does not focus on how to access a system but rather on how to operate within it without being detected.

This reflects a common reality in security incidents: impact usually occurs after initial access, when the attacker explores the network and expands their control.

Among the documented techniques are:
- Extraction of credentials from memory using specialized tools
- Exploitation of weak configurations in services
- Privilege escalation through incorrect permissions
- Exploiting trust relationships in Active Directory

Relevance in the current context
As organizations strengthen their perimeter defenses, attackers have evolved towards internal strategies. The goal is no longer just to enter but to maintain and expand.

This change makes resources like Internal All The Things particularly valuable for understanding how a real attack develops within an infrastructure.

Usefulness for defensive teams
Although oriented toward the offensive, the repository is equally useful for defense teams:
- Allows predicting techniques used by real attackers
- Facilitates the creation of detection mechanisms
- Helps identify insecure configurations
- Improves incident response capabilities

Conclusion
Internal All The Things has consolidated as a technical reference within the cybersecurity ecosystem. Its value lies in the combination of depth, constant updates, and practical applicability.

Understanding this type of resource is essential for any security professional, whether from an offensive or defensive perspective.

Key facts

  • PayloadsAllTheThings has published Internal All The Things
  • Offers tools and techniques for internal security testing in Active Directory

Why it matters

This resource is valuable for cybersecurity professionals as it provides practical information on how to handle and overcome obstacles during internal security tests, improving risk mitigation strategies.