LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution)

LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution) is a Microsoft tool that enhances security by automatically managing and randomizing local administrator passwords on domain-joined computers. It helps mitigate the risks associated with using static, easily compromised passwords across multiple machines in an Active Directory environment.

Key Features of LAPS:

1. Automatic Password Management: LAPS generates a random password for the local administrator account on each machine and stores it securely in Active Directory. Each machine has its own unique password.

2. Password Expiration: The password is periodically changed based on your policy (typically 30 days), reducing the risk of a compromised password remaining in use for long periods.

3. Centralized Management: The password is stored in a secure Active Directory attribute. Administrators with the appropriate permissions can retrieve the password using tools like PowerShell or the LAPS UI.

4. Auditing and Logging: LAPS integrates with Active Directory's auditing features, providing a traceable history of password changes and access attempts.

5. Access Control: Only authorized personnel (based on Active Directory permissions) can view or retrieve the password. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to local administrator accounts.

How LAPS Works:

1. Deployment:

   • LAPS requires a Group Policy Object (GPO) to be set up on the domain controller.
   • The GPO ensures that the LAPS client is installed on target computers and configures them to use LAPS for local administrator password management.
   • The password is stored as an attribute on each computer's Active Directory object.

2. Password Generation:

   • LAPS generates a unique, complex password for the local administrator account on each computer.
   • The password is updated regularly according to the defined expiration policy (e.g., every 30 days).

3. Password Retrieval:

   • Admins can use PowerShell or the LAPS UI to retrieve the password for any computer in the domain.
   • The password is stored securely in Active Directory and only accessible by users with specific permissions.

4. Security:

   • LAPS ensures that local administrator passwords are unique and complex, significantly reducing the risk of attacks using shared or weak passwords.
   • If a local admin password is compromised, it only affects a single machine, not the entire network.

Benefits of Using LAPS:

• Improved Security: Randomized passwords prevent attackers from using the same password across different machines, which is a common target in brute force attacks.
• Easier Management: Centralized password storage makes it easy to track and manage passwords without needing to use third-party tools.
• No Need for Shared Administrator Accounts: Each machine has its own local administrator password, reducing the reliance on shared, static credentials.

Steps to Implement LAPS:

1. Install the LAPS Client: Ensure the LAPS client is installed on all target machines. This can be done through a GPO or manual installation.
2. Extend Active Directory Schema: LAPS requires specific schema extensions in Active Directory to store the local administrator password and its expiration date.
3. Configure Group Policy: Set up a GPO to enable LAPS, configure password settings (such as complexity and expiration), and deploy it to the target machines.
4. Set Permissions: Grant permissions to authorized administrators to view the password attribute in Active Directory.
5. Monitoring and Auditing: Regularly check LAPS status and ensure passwords are being updated and managed properly.

How to Retrieve the Password:

You can retrieve the local administrator password using PowerShell or the LAPS GUI (Local Administrator Password Solution GUI). Here’s an example of using PowerShell to retrieve the password:

powershell

Get-AdmPwdPassword -ComputerName "ComputerName"

This will return the current password of the local administrator for the specified computer, assuming the user running the command has the necessary permissions.

Additional Considerations:

• Permissions Management: Ensure that only authorized administrators have the ability to retrieve passwords. You can configure who can read the password attribute in Active Directory by modifying the ACLs (Access Control Lists) on the computer objects.

• Troubleshooting: If LAPS is not functioning as expected, verify the client installation, GPO settings, and the correct permissions in Active Directory.