Windows Server 2019 Active Directory AdminSDHolder object must be configured with proper audit settings.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-205789	WN19-DC-000210	SV-205789r852490_rule		Medium

Description
When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes the AdminSDHolder object. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212

Description

When inappropriate audit settings are configured for directory service database objects, it may be possible for a user or process to update the data without generating any tracking data. The impact of missing audit data is related to the type of object. A failure to capture audit data for objects used by identification, authentication, or authorization functions could degrade or eliminate the ability to track changes to access policy for systems or data. For Active Directory (AD), there are a number of critical object types in the domain naming context of the AD database for which auditing is essential. This includes the AdminSDHolder object. Because changes to these objects can significantly impact access controls or the availability of systems, the absence of auditing data makes it impossible to identify the source of changes that impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems throughout an AD domain. The lack of proper auditing can result in insufficient forensic evidence needed to investigate an incident and prosecute the intruder. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000327-GPOS-00127, SRG-OS-000458-GPOS-00203, SRG-OS-000463-GPOS-00207, SRG-OS-000468-GPOS-00212

STIG	Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-02-21

Details

Check Text ( C-6054r355729_chk )
This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems. Review the auditing configuration for the "AdminSDHolder" object. Open "Active Directory Users and Computers" (available from various menus or run "dsa.msc"). Ensure "Advanced Features" is selected in the "View" menu. Select "System" under the domain being reviewed in the left pane. Right-click the "AdminSDHolder" object in the right pane and select "Properties". Select the "Security" tab. Select the "Advanced" button and then the "Auditing" tab. If the audit settings on the "AdminSDHolder" object are not at least as inclusive as those below, this is a finding: Type - Fail Principal - Everyone Access - Full Control Inherited from - None Applies to - This object only The success types listed below are defaults. Where Special is listed in the summary screens for Access, detailed Permissions are provided for reference. Various Properties selections may also exist by default. Type - Success Principal - Everyone Access - Special Inherited from - None Applies to - This object only (Access - Special = Write all properties, Modify permissions, Modify owner) Two instances with the following summary information will be listed: Type - Success Principal - Everyone Access - (blank) Inherited from - (CN of domain) Applies to - Descendant Organizational Unit objects

Check Text ( C-6054r355729_chk )

This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems.

Review the auditing configuration for the "AdminSDHolder" object.

Open "Active Directory Users and Computers" (available from various menus or run "dsa.msc").

Ensure "Advanced Features" is selected in the "View" menu.

Select "System" under the domain being reviewed in the left pane.

Right-click the "AdminSDHolder" object in the right pane and select "Properties".

Select the "Security" tab.

Select the "Advanced" button and then the "Auditing" tab.

If the audit settings on the "AdminSDHolder" object are not at least as inclusive as those below, this is a finding:

Type - Fail
Principal - Everyone
Access - Full Control
Inherited from - None
Applies to - This object only

The success types listed below are defaults. Where Special is listed in the summary screens for Access, detailed Permissions are provided for reference. Various Properties selections may also exist by default.

Type - Success
Principal - Everyone
Access - Special
Inherited from - None
Applies to - This object only
(Access - Special = Write all properties, Modify permissions, Modify owner)

Two instances with the following summary information will be listed:

Type - Success
Principal - Everyone
Access - (blank)
Inherited from - (CN of domain)
Applies to - Descendant Organizational Unit objects

Fix Text (F-6054r355730_fix)
Open "Active Directory Users and Computers" (available from various menus or run "dsa.msc"). Ensure "Advanced Features" is selected in the "View" menu. Select "System" under the domain being reviewed in the left pane. Right-click the "AdminSDHolder" object in the right pane and select "Properties". Select the "Security" tab. Select the "Advanced" button and then the "Auditing" tab. Configure the audit settings for AdminSDHolder object to include the following: Type - Fail Principal - Everyone Access - Full Control Inherited from - None Applies to - This object only The success types listed below are defaults. Where Special is listed in the summary screens for Access, detailed Permissions are provided for reference. Various Properties selections may also exist by default. Type - Success Principal - Everyone Access - Special Inherited from - None Applies to - This object only (Access - Special = Write all properties, Modify permissions, Modify owner) Two instances with the following summary information will be listed: Type - Success Principal - Everyone Access - (blank) Inherited from - (CN of domain) Applies to - Descendant Organizational Unit objects

Fix Text (F-6054r355730_fix)

Open "Active Directory Users and Computers" (available from various menus or run "dsa.msc").

Ensure "Advanced Features" is selected in the "View" menu.

Select "System" under the domain being reviewed in the left pane.

Right-click the "AdminSDHolder" object in the right pane and select "Properties".

Select the "Security" tab.

Select the "Advanced" button and then the "Auditing" tab.

Configure the audit settings for AdminSDHolder object to include the following:

Type - Fail
Principal - Everyone
Access - Full Control
Inherited from - None
Applies to - This object only

The success types listed below are defaults. Where Special is listed in the summary screens for Access, detailed Permissions are provided for reference. Various Properties selections may also exist by default.

Type - Success
Principal - Everyone
Access - Special
Inherited from - None
Applies to - This object only
(Access - Special = Write all properties, Modify permissions, Modify owner)

Two instances with the following summary information will be listed:

Type - Success
Principal - Everyone
Access - (blank)
Inherited from - (CN of domain)
Applies to - Descendant Organizational Unit objects