# User non-standard primary group count should be retrievable

Most user accounts use PrimaryGroupId = 513, which corresponds to Domain Users.

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-USER-12

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

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-USER-12
```

## Overview

Most user accounts use `PrimaryGroupId = 513`, which corresponds to `Domain Users`. When a user has a different primary group, the configuration is often intentional but uncommon.

- **Privilege review**: Non-standard primary groups can indicate elevated or specialized access models
- **Migration residue**: Legacy migrations and scripted provisioning may leave unusual values behind
- **Access clarity**: Atypical primary groups make account analysis more complex

#### Control Type

**Detective**

#### Security Recommendation

- Review users whose `PrimaryGroupId` is not `513`
- Confirm the configuration is required and documented
- Standardize primary groups where there is no operational reason for deviation

#### How the Test Works

This test counts user objects where `primaryGroupId` is populated and not equal to `513`.

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdUserAdminCountCount` - Highlights protected or privileged accounts
- `Test-MtAdUserSidHistoryCount` - Identifies migration-related account artifacts

#### Related links

- [Microsoft Defender for Identity: Accounts with non-default Primary Group ID](https://learn.microsoft.com/defender-for-identity/security-posture-assessments/accounts#accounts-with-non-default-primary-group-id)
- [ANSSI Active Directory checkpoints: Accounts with modified PrimaryGroupID](https://www.cert.ssi.gouv.fr/uploads/ad_checklist.html#vuln_primary_group_id_nochange)

## Details

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

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-USER-12 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Users |
| Area | Identity lifecycle and hygiene |
| Resource type | User |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdUserNonStandardPrimaryGroupCount](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-12.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:user:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-12.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-12.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-12.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-12.md)