SV-278138r1182081: Windows Server 2025 permissions on the Active Directory data files must only allow system administrators (SAs) access. | Microsoft Windows Server 2025 STIG SCAP Benchmark

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Assessment Title

Rule Text

Windows Server 2025 permissions on the Active Directory data files must only allow system administrators (SAs) access.

Description

Discussion Text

Improper access permissions for directory data-related files could allow unauthorized users to read, modify, or delete directory data or audit trails. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000324-GPOS-00125, SRG-OS-000206-GPOS-00084

How this relates to the STIG checklist: STIG vs SCAP benchmark.

IA Controls

NIST SP 800-53

Not mappedCCI-002235Not mappedCCI-001314

References

DPMS Target Microsoft Windows Server 2025 DISA DPMS Target Microsoft Windows Server 2025 5719

SCC Automation Reference

The reconstructed evaluation script behind this rule's OVAL check(s) — every module a compound check combines, with this rule's own concrete values and DISA's SCC tool's real per-module mechanism curated from static teardown of SCC releases.

Assessment Script Powered by AISyntax-verified

A standalone PowerShell script to assess this control automatically. Review before running it in your environment.

Syntax-checked as valid PowerShell. Not executed here — running it for real needs the actual ms_windows_server_2025 target this check assesses.

# oval:mil.disa.stig.windows2025:def:278138
$dbPath = (Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters' -Name 'Database log files path').'(Default)'
if (-Not $dbPath) { exit 1 }
$files = Get-ChildItem -Path $dbPath -Filter '*.*' -File
foreach ($file in $files) {
    $acl = Get-Acl -Path $file.FullName
    $systemRights = $acl.Access | Where-Object { $_.IdentityReference -eq 'NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM' }
    $adminRights = $acl.Access | Where-Object { $_.IdentityReference -eq 'BUILTIN\Administrators' }
    if ($systemRights -eq $null -or $adminRights -eq $null -or
        $systemRights[0].AreInherited -or $adminRights[0].AreInherited -or
        $systemRights[0].AccessControlType -ne 'Allow' -or $adminRights[0].AccessControlType -ne 'Allow' -or
        $systemRights[0].FileSystemRights -band ([Security.AccessControl.FileSystemRights]::FullControl) -eq [Security.AccessControl.FileSystemRights]::FullControl -or
        $adminRights[0].FileSystemRights -band ([Security.AccessControl.FileSystemRights]::FullControl) -eq [Security.AccessControl.FileSystemRights]::FullControl) {
        exit 1
    }
}
exit 0

Remediation

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