# Supported SASL mechanism count should be investigated

SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanisms define the authentication protocols that Active Directory supports.

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-ROOTDSE-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 · Directory configuration · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

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

## Overview

SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanisms define the authentication protocols that Active Directory supports. Understanding these mechanisms is important for:

- **Authentication Security**: Different mechanisms provide different security levels
- **Protocol Compatibility**: Ensuring clients can authenticate using appropriate methods
- **Security Baseline**: Tracking changes to supported mechanisms that could indicate misconfiguration

The default count is typically 4 mechanisms (GSSAPI, GSS-SPNEGO, EXTERNAL, DIGEST-MD5), though this may vary by configuration.

#### Control Type

**Operational**

#### Security Recommendation

- Prefer Kerberos (GSSAPI) for authentication when possible
- Minimize use of less secure mechanisms like DIGEST-MD5
- Monitor for unexpected changes to supported SASL mechanisms
- Disable mechanisms that are not required in your environment
- Ensure clients are configured to use the most secure available mechanism

#### How the Test Works

This test retrieves the Root DSE and counts:
- Number of supported SASL mechanisms
- List of mechanism names

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdSupportedSaslMechanismDetails` - Provides detailed information about each mechanism

## Details

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

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-ROOTDSE-01 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Directory configuration |
| Area | Authentication |
| Resource type | Tenant |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdSupportedSaslMechanismCount](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-01.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:domainDNS:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

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