LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution) in PowerShell is a Microsoft tool that manages the local administrator passwords on domain-joined computers, enhancing security by automatically changing and randomizing these passwords.
Here's a simple PowerShell snippet to fetch the LAPS password for a specific computer:
Get-AdmPwdPassword -ComputerName 'YourComputerName'
What is LAPS?
The Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) is a Microsoft tool designed to enhance local account security by managing the local administrator passwords on Windows machines. LAPS generates complex passwords automatically, ensuring that they are unique for each computer within an Active Directory (AD) environment. This solution eliminates the risks associated with static or shared passwords, thereby reinforcing security.
Benefits of Using LAPS
Implementing LAPS offers several compelling advantages:
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Enhanced Security: By generating strong, unique passwords for each account, LAPS dramatically reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access via compromised passwords.
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Mitigation of Static Password Risks: Using generic passwords across multiple devices creates significant risks. LAPS addresses this concern by ensuring that each local administrator account has a different password.
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Simplified Management: LAPS automates the process of password management. IT administrators no longer need to manually update passwords across multiple machines, thus saving time and effort.
Setting Up LAPS in Your Environment
System Requirements
Before setting up LAPS, ensure that your environment meets the following requirements:
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Active Directory Version: LAPS is compatible with Windows Server 2008 R2 and later versions.
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Client Operating Systems: LAPS can be installed on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and, of course, server editions like Windows Server 2012 and later.
Installing LAPS
Downloading LAPS
LAPS can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center. Make sure to choose the correct version for your environment.
Installation Steps
Follow these steps to install LAPS effectively:
- Run the Installer: Once downloaded, run the installer.
msiexec /i LAPS.x64.msi /quiet /l*v laps-install.log
- Complete the Installation: Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Configuring Group Policy for LAPS
Creating a New Group Policy Object (GPO)
To apply LAPS settings, you must create a dedicated GPO. Here’s how:
- Open the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC).
- Right-click on your domain, and select Create a GPO in this domain, and Link it here.
- Name the GPO appropriately.
Configuring LAPS Settings in the GPO
Access the new GPO, navigate to Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > LAPS, and configure the following settings:
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Enable Local Admin Password Management: Ensures that LAPS manages local admin passwords.
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Password Settings: Configure password complexity, length, and expiration to your organization's standards.
Implementing LAPS in Active Directory
Permissions for LAPS
Setting Up Active Directory Permissions
You need to delegate permissions for the computers that will use LAPS. This is critical for ensuring that the appropriate users or groups can read and reset the passwords.
Understanding Security Groups and OUs
Consider creating a dedicated Organizational Unit (OU) within Active Directory for computers that will have LAPS installed. This allows for easier management and delegation of permissions.
Extending Active Directory Schema
What Needs to be Extended
LAPS requires extensions to the AD schema to accommodate several new attributes for local administrator passwords. These extensions store the passwords securely.
How to Extend the Schema
To extend the schema, follow these steps:
- Open a PowerShell session with administrative privileges.
- Run the provided PowerShell script to perform the action.
Update-Schema.ps1
PowerShell Commands for LAPS Management
Basic LAPS PowerShell Commands
PowerShell is a powerful tool when managing LAPS. Familiarizing yourself with key commands will streamline LAPS administration.
To retrieve the local administrator password for a specific computer, use:
Get-LocalAdministratorPassword -ComputerName "ComputerName"
Updating LAPS Passwords
To manually trigger a password update on a client machine is straightforward. Use the following command:
Reset-LocalAdministratorPassword -ComputerName "ComputerName"
Auditing LAPS Password Access
To track when passwords are accessed, querying the Windows Security logs is essential. This is a critical step for maintaining security integrity.
Get-EventLog -LogName Security -InstanceId 4663 | Where-Object { $_.Message -like "*LAPS*" }
Troubleshooting Common LAPS Issues
Common Configuration Issues
Failures often stem from misconfigurations. Ensure that you've correctly assigned permissions, and validate that the GPO is applied to the appropriate OUs.
Resolving Client-Side Issues
If LAPS is not updating passwords on clients, check the following:
- Verify that the LAPS client is installed and running.
- Ensure network connectivity to the domain.
Use the following command to ensure that the client is functioning correctly:
Get-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq "LAPS"}
Verifying LAPS Functionality
Regular checks can confirm that LAPS is working correctly. Checking for the presence of new attributes in the AD for the client computers is one effective method.
Conclusion
The Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) provides a robust method for managing local administrator accounts in Windows environments. By utilizing LAPS, organizations can not only secure their systems more effectively but also streamline password management practices. Implementing LAPS will significantly elevate your security posture, making it a worthwhile addition to your IT strategies.
Additional Resources
For further information, consult the official LAPS documentation, explore PowerShell community forums, or check out additional reading and tutorials on this crucial topic.
