1.156 WN16-DC-000110

Information

Domain-created Active Directory Organizational Unit (OU) objects must have proper access control permissions.

GROUP ID: V-224974
RULE ID: SV-224974r958726

When directory service database objects do not have appropriate access control permissions, it may be possible for malicious users to create, read, update, or delete the objects and degrade or destroy the integrity of the data. When the directory service is used for identification, authentication, or authorization functions, a compromise of the database objects could lead to a compromise of all systems that rely on the directory service.

For Active Directory, the OU objects require special attention. In a distributed administration model (i.e., help desk), OU objects are more likely to have access permissions changed from the secure defaults. If inappropriate access permissions are defined for OU objects, it could allow an intruder to add or delete users in the OU. This could result in unauthorized access to data or a denial of service to authorized users.

Solution

Maintain the permissions on domain-defined OUs to be at least as restrictive as the defaults below.

Document any additional permissions above Read with the ISSO if an approved distributed administration model (help desk or other user support staff) is implemented.

- CREATOR OWNER - Special permissions
- Self - Special permissions
- Authenticated Users - Read, Special permissions
- The special permissions for Authenticated Users are Read type.
- SYSTEM - Full Control
- Domain Admins - Full Control
- Enterprise Admins - Full Control
- Key Admins - Special permissions
- Enterprise Key Admins - Special permissions
- Administrators - Read, Write, Create all child objects, Generate resultant set of policy (logging), Generate resultant set of policy (planning), Special permissions
- Pre-Windows 2000 Compatible Access - Special permissions
- The special permissions for Pre-Windows 2000 Compatible Access are for Read types.
- ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS - Read, Special permissions

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/23093