# Supported SASL mechanism details should be investigated

Understanding the SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanisms supported by Active Directory is crucial for authentication security:

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-ROOTDSE-02

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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-02
```

## Overview

Understanding the SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanisms supported by Active Directory is crucial for authentication security:

- **Security Levels**: Different mechanisms offer varying levels of security
- **Protocol Selection**: Clients negotiate authentication based on available mechanisms
- **Attack Surface**: Unnecessary mechanisms increase the authentication attack surface
- **Compliance**: Some regulations may require specific authentication protocols

Common mechanisms and their security levels:
- **GSSAPI (Kerberos)**: Highest security, mutual authentication
- **GSS-SPNEGO**: Negotiate between Kerberos and NTLM
- **EXTERNAL**: TLS client certificate authentication
- **DIGEST-MD5**: Less secure, often disabled in hardened environments

#### Control Type

**Operational**

#### Security Recommendation

- Use Kerberos (GSSAPI) as the primary authentication mechanism
- Disable DIGEST-MD5 if not explicitly required
- Enable EXTERNAL for certificate-based authentication scenarios
- Monitor authentication logs for mechanism usage patterns
- Document which mechanisms are required for your environment

#### How the Test Works

This test retrieves detailed information about each supported SASL mechanism:
- Mechanism name
- Description of the mechanism
- Security level assessment

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdSupportedSaslMechanismCount` - Counts total supported mechanisms

## Details

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

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-ROOTDSE-02 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Directory configuration |
| Area | Authentication |
| Resource type | Tenant |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdSupportedSaslMechanismDetails](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-02.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:domainDNS:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-02.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-02.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-02.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/replication/Test.AD-ROOTDSE-02.md)