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Overview

Group Policy Preferences (GPP) allowed admins to set local passwords via Group Policy. The password was encrypted with a known AES key published by Microsoft. Any domain user can read SYSVOL and decrypt these. Microsoft patched this in MS14-025, but old policies may still exist.

Where to Find GPP Files

SYSVOL share (readable by all domain users):

Files Containing cpassword


Find GPP XML Files

Example Groups.xml


Decrypt cpassword

gpp-decrypt (Kali)

Python

Ruby


Automated Tools

CrackMapExec

Metasploit

Get-GPPPassword (PowerSploit)

Impacket


Post-Exploitation

Found credentials → test them:

Quick Reference