# Distinct DACL identity count should be investigated

Every DACL ACE references a security principal. Tracking the number of distinct identities appearing in delegated permissions helps you understand how…

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-DACL-07

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<div class="test-byline"><div class="test-byline-avatars"><a class="test-byline-avatar test-byline-avatar--author" href="/contributors/soulemike" title="Michael Soule · Original author"><img src="https://github.com/soulemike.png" alt="Michael Soule" width="28" height="28" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /></a></div><div class="test-byline-meta"><span class="test-byline-text">Contributed by <a href="/contributors/soulemike">Michael Soule</a></span><a class="test-byline-link" href="/contributors">All contributors →</a></div></div>

<p class="test-part">Part of <a href="/docs/tests/ad">Active Directory</a> · Active Directory · Permissions and delegation · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-DACL-07
```

## Overview

Every DACL ACE references a security principal. Tracking the number of distinct identities appearing in delegated permissions helps you understand how widely access has been spread across the directory.

- **Delegation Visibility**: A large number of distinct identities can indicate broad or inconsistent delegation.
- **Review Prioritization**: Security teams can focus on identities that appear repeatedly across sensitive objects.
- **Baseline Tracking**: Repeated measurement makes it easier to spot growth in delegated access over time.

#### Control Type

**Operational**

#### Security Recommendation

Keep delegation models simple and intentional. Prefer group-based administration over direct assignment to many individual accounts or SIDs.

#### How the Test Works

This test reads `DaclEntries` from `Get-MtADDomainState`, extracts unique `IdentityReference` values, and reports how many distinct identities appear across all collected ACEs.

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdDaclIdentityAceDistribution`
- `Test-MtAdDaclPrivilegedAllowAceCount`
- `Test-MtAdDaclPrivilegedExtendedRightCount`

> **Note:** This test is `LongRunning`. It loads the full DACL dataset, which can consume significant memory in large Active Directory environments. Use `Invoke-Maester -IncludeLongRunning` to run it.

## Details

<details>
<summary>Every attribute of this check</summary>

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-DACL-07 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Permissions and delegation |
| Area | Access control |
| Resource type | Permission |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdDaclDistinctIdentityCount](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/dacl/Test.AD-DACL-07.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:*.ntSecurityDescriptor:ReadControl |
| Long running | Yes |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/dacl/Test.AD-DACL-07.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/dacl/Test.AD-DACL-07.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/dacl/Test.AD-DACL-07.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/dacl/Test.AD-DACL-07.md)