Permissions on the Active Directory data files must only allow System and Administrators access.

From Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-002235

SV-88021r1_rule Permissions on the Active Directory data files must only allow System and Administrators access.

Vulnerability discussion

Improper access permissions for directory data-related files could allow unauthorized users to read, modify, or delete directory data or audit trails.

Check content

This applies to domain controllers. It is NA for other systems. Run "Regedit". Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters". Note the directory locations in the values for: Database log files path DSA Database file By default, they will be \Windows\NTDS. If the locations are different, the following will need to be run for each. Open "Command Prompt (Admin)". Navigate to the NTDS directory (\Windows\NTDS by default). Run "icacls *.*". If the permissions on each file are not as restrictive as the following, this is a finding. NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(I)(F) BUILTIN\Administrators:(I)(F) (I) - permission inherited from parent container (F) - full access

Fix text

Maintain the permissions on NTDS database and log files as follows: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM:(I)(F) BUILTIN\Administrators:(I)(F) (I) - permission inherited from parent container (F) - full access

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