[REQ-DC-120] Configure User Rights: Deny log on locally on Domain Controllers

Target Scope

  • Applicable Systems: Domain Controllers (Tier 0 Active Directory infrastructure).
  • Operating Systems: Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2025.

Implementation Details

  • Priority: High
  • GPO Path / Registry Location:
    • Policy Display Name: Deny log on locally
    • Privilege Constant: SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight
    • GPO Path: Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment\Deny log on locally
    • Registry Location: Stored inside local security database under privilege SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight set to *S-1-5-32-546 (Guests).

Rationale

The SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight explicitly blocks designated accounts and groups from establishing an interactive logon session (Logon Type 2) at the physical keyboard, mouse, or virtual machine console. Because an explicit deny overrides any allow right, this policy establishes a foolproof security boundary against unauthorized console access.

1. Technical Threat Vector & Abuse Mechanics

Allowing untrusted or guest accounts interactive console access provides an attacker with a direct desktop interface to launch exploitation tools, inspect system configurations, access local storage, and stage local privilege escalation attacks. On mission-critical servers and Domain Controllers, interactive logons must be prohibited for all non-essential accounts to prevent unauthorized physical or hypervisor-level console tampering.

2. Architectural Defense & Least Privilege Enforcement

Domain Controllers are the root of trust for the entire Active Directory forest, storing the directory database (ntds.dit), Kerberos master keys (krbtgt), and password hashes for all enterprise identities. Unrestricted allocation of user rights on Domain Controllers introduces devastating forest-compromise risks. Enforcing strict assignment of this privilege ensures that directory synchronization, authentication packages, and system execution remain strictly bounded to authorized directory components and Domain Administrators.

Baseline hardening requires that SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight include Guests (S-1-5-32-546). Enforcing this policy ensures that default guest identities and temporary untrusted principals cannot open interactive sessions on the console.

3. MITRE ATT&CK Mapping

  • T1078.001 - Valid Accounts: Default Accounts
  • T1078.003 - Valid Accounts: Local Accounts

Legacy Impact & Compatibility

  • Operational Impact: Denying interactive logon to Guests introduces zero disruption to standard administrative workflows. Legitimate domain administrators retain interactive logon capabilities through authorized groups. Unauthorized console logon attempts are logged under Security Event ID 4625.

Implementation Steps

Option A: Group Policy Object (GPO) Configuration (Preferred)

  1. Open the Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc).
  2. Navigate to the targeted GPO linked to Tier 0 Domain Controller systems (e.g., Default Domain Controllers Policy).
  3. In the console tree, browse to: Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment
  4. Open the policy Deny log on locally.
  5. Select the Define these policy settings check box.
  6. Configure the security principal allocation to: *S-1-5-32-546 (Guests).
  7. Click Apply and OK.
  8. Apply and verify policy enforcement across target hosts using gpupdate /force and inspect with secedit /export /cfg C:\Windows\Temp\sec_audit.cfg.

Option B: PowerShell & Registry Configuration (Remediation / Non-GPO)

Download Script: Configure-DcUraSeDenyInteractiveLogonRight.ps1

# Configure-DcUraSeDenyInteractiveLogonRight.ps1
# Configure-DcUraSeDenyInteractiveLogonRight.ps1
$SecTempDir = Join-Path $env:TEMP "SecurityTemplates"
if (-not (Test-Path $SecTempDir)) { New-Item -Path $SecTempDir -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null }
$CfgFile = Join-Path $SecTempDir "ura_sedenyinteractivelogonright.cfg"
$DbFile = Join-Path $SecTempDir "secedit_sedenyinteractivelogonright.sdb"
$LogFile = Join-Path $SecTempDir "secedit.log"

$Process = Start-Process secedit -ArgumentList "/export /cfg `"$CfgFile`"" -Wait -NoNewWindow -PassThru
if ($Process.ExitCode -ne 0) { Throw "Failed to export security template" }

$ConfigText = Get-Content -Path $CfgFile -Raw
if ($ConfigText -notmatch "\[Privilege Rights\]") {
    $ConfigText += "`r`n[Privilege Rights]`r`n"
}

$Lines = $ConfigText -split "`r?`n"
$NewLines = @()
$InPriv = $false
$KeyAdded = $false

foreach ($Line in $Lines) {
    if ($Line -match "^\[(.*)\]$") {
        if ($Matches[1] -eq "Privilege Rights") {
            $InPriv = $true
        } else {
            $InPriv = $false
        }
    }
    if ($InPriv -and $Line -match "^\s*SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight\s*=") {
        $NewLines += "SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight = *S-1-5-32-546"
        $KeyAdded = $true
    } else {
        $NewLines += $Line
    }
}

if (-not $KeyAdded) {
    # Find Privilege Rights section index and insert it right after
    $Idx = $NewLines.IndexOf("[Privilege Rights]")
    if ($Idx -ge 0) {
        $NewLines.Insert($Idx + 1, "SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight = *S-1-5-32-546")
    } else {
        $NewLines += "SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight = *S-1-5-32-546"
    }
}

$NewLines | Set-Content -Path $CfgFile -Force
$Proc = Start-Process secedit -ArgumentList "/configure /db `"$DbFile`" /cfg `"$CfgFile`" /areas USER_RIGHTS /log `"$LogFile`"" -Wait -NoNewWindow -PassThru
if ($Proc.ExitCode -ne 0) { Throw "Failed to configure secedit user rights" }
Remove-Item -Path $CfgFile, $DbFile -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

To audit the hardening status: Download Script: Get-DcUraSeDenyInteractiveLogonRightStatus.ps1

# Get-DcUraSeDenyInteractiveLogonRightStatus.ps1
# Get-DcUraSeDenyInteractiveLogonRightStatus.ps1
$SecTempDir = Join-Path $env:TEMP "SecurityTemplates"
if (-not (Test-Path $SecTempDir)) { New-Item -Path $SecTempDir -ItemType Directory -Force | Out-Null }
$CfgFile = Join-Path $SecTempDir "ura_audit_sedenyinteractivelogonright.cfg"

$Process = Start-Process secedit -ArgumentList "/export /cfg `"$CfgFile`"" -Wait -NoNewWindow -PassThru
if ($Process.ExitCode -ne 0) {
    Write-Output "Non-Compliant"
    exit 1
}

$ConfigText = Get-Content -Path $CfgFile -Raw
Remove-Item -Path $CfgFile -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

$Match = $ConfigText -match "(?mi)^\s*SeDenyInteractiveLogonRight\s*=\s*(.*)$"
$CurrentValue = ""
if ($Match) {
    $CurrentValue = $Matches[1].Trim()
}

$Expected = "*S-1-5-32-546"
if ($CurrentValue -eq $Expected) {
    Write-Output "Compliant"
    exit 0
} else {
    Write-Output "Non-Compliant"
    exit 1
}

Sources & Compliance References

  • ANSSI Active Directory Hardening Guide: ANSSI Active Directory Hardening Guide: R29 (Logon Rights Assignment)
  • CIS Benchmark: 2.2.17 (L1) Ensure 'Deny log on locally' includes 'Guests'
  • Microsoft Security Baseline: User Rights Configuration specifications
  • Microsoft Learn: User Rights Assignment Reference

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