Active Directory Password Reset Tool

Shaun VermaakCOG Lead Engineer
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My name is Shaun Vermaak and I have always been fascinated with technology and how we use it to enhance our lives and business.
Published:
Updated:
A bad practice commonly found during an account life cycle is to set its password to an initial, insecure password. The Password Reset Tool was developed to make the password reset process easier and more secure.

Benefits


  • Sets a unique, secure password on each password reset
  • Helpdesk employee users do not need to use or install RSAT (at least not for those only resetting passwords)
  • End-users do not get passwords such as Password1 or Company1 and continue with this bad practice by continuing with passwords such as Password2 or Company2


Implementation


1) Download and extract PasswordResetTool.zip (here is VirusTotal scan) to a folder of your choice.


2) Run Configurator.exe (Configurator Editor).

a) On the Settings tab, enter the FQDN and NetBIOS for the domain on for which Password Reset Tool needs to reset passwords for

b) Specify length that passwords should be reset to for user and administrator accounts

c) Save the configuration file


Demo Execution


Once configuration has been completed, the Password Reset Tool can be executed

Once the Reset Password button is pressed, the specified user account password is reset to a pronounceable, random password


After the process, the connection password and user field are cleared.


Relevant Code


DirectoryEntry directionEntry = new DirectoryEntry(domainPath, domainName + "\\" + connectionUserName, @connectionPassword);
    if (directionEntry != null)
    {
        DirectorySearcher search = new DirectorySearcher(directionEntry);
        search.Filter = "(SAMAccountName=" + userToReset + ")";
        SearchResult result = search.FindOne();
        if (result != null)
        {
            DirectoryEntry userEntry = result.GetDirectoryEntry();
            if (userEntry != null)
            {
                userEntry.Invoke("SetPassword", new object[] { password });
                userEntry.Properties["pwdLastSet"].Value = 0;
                userEntry.Properties["LockOutTime"].Value = 0x0000;
                userEntry.CommitChanges();
            }
        }
    }
    return password;


Conclusion


Using initial secure and unique passwords during reset contributes to a far more secure environment.


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Shaun VermaakCOG Lead Engineer
CERTIFIED EXPERT
My name is Shaun Vermaak and I have always been fascinated with technology and how we use it to enhance our lives and business.

Comments (4)

Ajit SinghSenior Consultant
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Commented:
Great! I have bookmarked this.

Will definitely give try and let you know.

Is this similar like other self service password reset solutions like these:

https://www.manageengine.com/products/self-service-password/self-service-password-reset.html

https://www.lepide.com/active-directory-self-service/

Mostly they are paid solution and yours is free of cost.

Is there any other key point just for knowledge to keep in mind.
Shaun VermaakCOG Lead Engineer
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Awarded 2017
Distinguished Expert 2019

Author

Commented:
Hi Ajit

This is more geared toward helpdesk, resetting other user's passwords

Regards
Shaun
Shaun VermaakCOG Lead Engineer
CERTIFIED EXPERT
Awarded 2017
Distinguished Expert 2019

Author

Commented:
I do have a password-self-help portal, will post in the next few weeks
Shaun VermaakCOG Lead Engineer
CERTIFIED EXPERT
Awarded 2017
Distinguished Expert 2019

Author

Commented:

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