RE: using Administrator-Account with empty password

[Craig Wright <Craig.Wright () bdo com au>]

"So my question is why should I even bother to set up a strong password
for my Admin Account (which can be broken by BruteForce or Wordlist), when Windows denies any connection with an empty 
password."

Even rainbow tables can not break a good strong pass phrase.

This is also not the ONLY way to gain access. No password and you are asking for trouble.

"Or is there any way to trick Windows into accepting a connection with an
empty password or to run a programm from the command line without a password?"

Many

Regards,
Dr. Craig Wright GSE LLM



Craig Wright
Manager, Risk Advisory Services

Direct : +61 2 9286 5497
Craig.Wright () bdo com au
+61 417 683 914

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-----Original Message-----

From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Scan_it
Sent: Monday, 2 June 2008 3:32 AM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: using Administrator-Account with empty password

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hi guys,

I got the following iussue here.

I have two Computers, both Win xp pro SP2
(no passwords for Administrator's account set).

I assume that no one has local access to the computer.
so the only way to get to the data(shares, ipc$) is by remote (home
network, internet)

When I try to establish a connection via ipc$ or a connection to a
network share , using the Administrator account
(e.g. with Sysinternals tools), Windows declines the connection.

If i set the same password on both computers, i can establish a
connection, use administrative priviliges, network
shares etc.

So my question is why should I even bother to set up a strong password
for my Admin Account (which can be
broken by BruteForce or Wordlist), when Windows denies any connection
with an empty password.
Wouldnt it be a lot more secure to configure a system without a Password?

Or is there any way to trick Windows into accepting a connection with an
empty password or to
run a programm from the command line without a password?

Your input is pretty much appreciated.

Greets

Scan_it
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