# GPO unlinked target count should be compliant

Active Directory targets (OUs, the domain root, and sites) without any Group Policy links may indicate incomplete security policy coverage.

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-GPOL-03

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

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-GPOL-03
```

## Overview

Active Directory targets (OUs, the domain root, and sites) without any Group Policy links may indicate incomplete security policy coverage.

When a target has no GPO links, security and configuration baselines may not be applied consistently—creating gaps that attackers or misconfigurations can exploit.

#### Control Type

**Operational**

#### Security Recommendation

Investigate any unlinked targets and remediate the policy coverage gap:

- Confirm the target should receive baseline policies (security requirements, ownership, and intended design).
- Add the appropriate GPO links (typically security baselines and auditing policies) to restore consistent enforcement.
- Review GPO inheritance/blocking design to ensure links are not unintentionally prevented.
- Maintain a deployment cadence so new OUs/domains/sites do not remain unlinked.

Unlinked targets can represent missing or outdated configurations, so treat results as potential security configuration gaps.

#### How the Test Works

This test uses `Get-MtADGpoState` (and its cached `GPOLinks`/AD data) and:

1. Enumerates all OUs using `Get-ADOrganizationalUnit`.
2. Reads the `gPLink` value for the domain root.
3. Identifies site link objects from `Get-MtADGpoState` (`$gpoState.SiteContainers`).
4. Counts each target whose `gPLink` value contains no GPO GUID references (i.e., no GPO links).

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdGpoUnlinkedCount` - Identifies GPOs that are not linked to any location
- `Test-MtAdGpoLinkedCount` - Counts distinct GPOs that are actively linked
- `Test-MtAdGpoUnlinkedDetails` - Returns details of unlinked GPOs
- `Test-MtAdGpoLinkedOUCount` - (if implemented) OUs with GPO links

## Details

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

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-GPOL-03 |
| Severity | Low |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Group Policy |
| Area | Infrastructure hardening |
| Resource type | OrganizationalUnit |
| User impact | Low |
| Implementation cost | Medium |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdGpoUnlinkedTargetCount](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/gpo/Test.AD-GPOL-03.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:groupPolicyContainer.gPCFileSysPath:ReadProperty, ActiveDirectory:File:SYSVOL:Read |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/gpo/Test.AD-GPOL-03.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/gpo/Test.AD-GPOL-03.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/gpo/Test.AD-GPOL-03.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/gpo/Test.AD-GPOL-03.md)