CRL distribution points count should be retrievable

Contributed by Michael SouleAll contributors →

Part of Active Directory · Active Directory · Certificate Services · All checks

Run this check

Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-CFG-20

Overview

Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) are published at specific locations called CRL distribution points. These endpoints enable relying parties (including AD-integrated components) to check whether certificates have been revoked.

If CRL distribution points are missing, misconfigured, or reduced unexpectedly, revocation checking can fail. That can allow previously revoked certificates to remain effectively trusted longer than intended.

Monitoring the count of CRL distribution points helps detect:

• Missing distribution points after CA configuration changes
• Unexpected additions (potentially pointing to untrusted or incorrect publishing locations)

Control Type

Operational

Security Recommendation

• Ensure CRL distribution points are configured to reliable, access-controlled endpoints.
• Validate that all intended distribution points are present and reachable from relying-party networks.
• Alert on changes to the number of distribution points—treat deviations as configuration drift.

How the Test Works

The test inspects AD configuration for CRL distribution point entries, counts them, and reports the current number. This provides a lightweight indicator that your revocation publication settings align with expected CA configuration.

Details

Every attribute of this check

Field	Value
Test ID	AD-CFG-20
Severity	Info
Suite	Active Directory
Product	Active Directory
Feature	Certificate Services
Area	Infrastructure hardening
Resource type	CertificateAuthority
MITRE ATT&CK	None
PowerShell test	Test-MtAdCrlDistributionPointsCount
Services	ActiveDirectory
Permissions	ActiveDirectory:Ldap:Configuration/*:ReadProperty

Source

• Test: tests/ad/config/Test.AD-CFG-20.ps1
• Documentation: tests/ad/config/Test.AD-CFG-20.md