> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hacking-notes.jord4n.pro/active-directory/credentials/primary-and-impersonation-tokens.md).

# Primary and Impersonation Tokens

Active Directory security notes for Primary and Impersonation Tokens, covering enumeration, Kerberos, credentials, ACL abuse, lateral movement, exploitation workflow, and validation steps.

#### Primary Token

Each process has a **primary token**.

This token describes the security context of the user account associated with the process.

By default, Windows uses this token when a process interacts with a secure object.

#### Impersonation Token

A thread can also use an **impersonation token**.

Impersonation allows a thread to temporarily act with the security context of another user or client.

A thread that impersonates a client can therefore have:

* a primary token;
* an impersonation token.


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