> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://alham-rizvi.gitbook.io/alhamrizvi/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://alham-rizvi.gitbook.io/alhamrizvi/active-directory/05.-forest-trusts.md).

# 05. Forest Trusts

**What it is:** a forest trust is a relationship between two AD forests that allows authentication and (optionally) authorization data to flow between them. A **bidirectional** trust means users in either forest can authenticate to resources in the other.

## Key Properties to Check When You Find One

```powershell
Get-ADTrust -Filter *
```

| Property                  | Meaning                                                              |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Direction`               | Bidirectional / Inbound / Outbound                                   |
| `ForestTransitive`        | Whether the trust extends to *other* forests trusted by the far side |
| `SIDFilteringQuarantined` | If `False`, SID History attacks may be possible across the trust     |

## Why It Matters Here

A trust is only useful to an attacker if there's also a *network path* to the other side (`06_Network_Pivoting.md`) and some *misused permission* that actually crosses the boundary (`08_DACL_Abuse.md`, `07_gMSA_Abuse.md`). The trust alone doesn't grant access — it's the mechanism that makes cross-domain authentication *possible* once you find something worth abusing.

## Example — Spotting It From a Shell

```powershell
PS C:\> Get-ADTrust -Filter *

Direction              : BiDirectional
ForestTransitive       : True
SIDFilteringQuarantined: False
Target                 : sub.htb
```

This alone is enough to justify a deeper look at `sub.htb` for anything reachable from `domain.htb`'s existing foothold.

## Key Term

| Term             | Definition                                                            |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Forest trust** | A relationship allowing authentication to flow between two AD forests |


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