# Computers with unconstrained delegation count should be investigated

Security Risks: - Complete Impersonation: Attackers can impersonate any user who authenticates to the computer - Lateral Movement: Compromising one…

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-DCOMP-01

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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 · Computers · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-DCOMP-01
```

## Overview

- Unconstrained delegation is one of the most dangerous configurations in Active Directory. When enabled on a computer, it allows services on that computer to impersonate authenticated users to ANY service on ANY computer in the domain.

**Security Risks:**
- **Complete Impersonation**: Attackers can impersonate any user who authenticates to the computer
- **Lateral Movement**: Compromising one computer with unconstrained delegation enables access to all domain resources
- **Privilege Escalation**: Can be used to escalate from standard user to domain admin
- **Ticket Theft**: Attackers can harvest TGTs from memory on these computers

#### Control Type

**Operational**

#### Security Recommendation

1. **Eliminate unconstrained delegation**:
   - Replace with constrained delegation or resource-based constrained delegation
   - Audit all computers with this setting
   - Prioritize non-DC computers for remediation

2. **Protect computers that require delegation**:
   - Limit to absolute minimum necessary
   - Place in isolated OU with strict access controls
   - Monitor for compromise indicators

3. **Use alternatives**:
   - **Constrained Delegation**: Limits impersonation to specific services
   - **Resource-Based Constrained Delegation**: More flexible and secure approach
   - **Protocol Transition**: When combined with constrained delegation

#### How the Test Works

This test counts computers with the `TrustedForDelegation` flag enabled and categorizes them by:
- Domain Controllers vs. non-DC computers
- Total count and percentage

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdComputerNonDcUnconstrainedDelegationCount` - Focuses on non-DC computers (critical risk)
- `Test-MtAdComputerNonDcConstrainedDelegationCount` - Reviews constrained delegation
- `Test-MtAdUserDelegationConfiguredCount` - Reviews user account delegation

#### Related links

- [Microsoft Defender for Identity: Unsecure Kerberos delegation](https://learn.microsoft.com/defender-for-identity/security-posture-assessments/accounts#unsecure-kerberos-delegation)
- [ANSSI Active Directory checkpoints: Unconstrained authentication delegation](https://www.cert.ssi.gouv.fr/uploads/ad_checklist.html#vuln_delegation_t4d)

## Details

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

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-DCOMP-01 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Computers |
| Area | Authentication |
| Resource type | Computer |
| MITRE ATT&CK | T1558 Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets, T1550.003 Pass the Ticket |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdComputerUnconstrainedDelegationCount](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/security/Test.AD-DCOMP-01.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:computer:ReadProperty, ActiveDirectory:Ldap:nTDSDSA:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/security/Test.AD-DCOMP-01.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/security/Test.AD-DCOMP-01.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/security/Test.AD-DCOMP-01.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/security/Test.AD-DCOMP-01.md)