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AD-SPN-04: Computer SPN unknown service class details should be investigated

ID AD-SPN-04
Severity Info
Suite Active Directory (on-premises)
Product Active Directory
Feature Service principal names
Security area Infrastructure hardening
Resource type Computer
Reads from On-premises Active Directory

Detailed information about unknown SPNs enables security teams to:

  • Investigate effectively: Know exactly which computers have unknown SPNs
  • Assess scope: Understand how widespread an unknown service is
  • Track down owners: Identify the computers to contact administrators
  • Document exceptions: Build a list of authorized custom SPNs

This granular visibility is essential for maintaining SPN hygiene and security.

Operational

For each unknown SPN service class discovered:

  1. Identify the service owner or application team
  2. Determine if the service is legitimate and necessary
  3. Verify the SPN is registered on the correct account (not a user account for a computer service)
  4. Document approved custom SPNs in your security baseline
  5. Remove or correct unauthorized SPNs

This test analyzes all computer SPNs, compares service classes against a known database, and provides a detailed breakdown of unknown service classes including which computers have them and how many instances exist.

  • Test-MtAdComputerSpnUnknownCount - Counts unknown service classes
  • Test-MtAdUserSpnUnknownDetails - Details of unknown user account SPNs
  • Test-MtAdComputerSpnServiceClassUsage - All service class usage breakdown

Mito check. Author: soulemike. Open-source licences.

Open-source licences. CIS Benchmark material © Center for Internet Security, Inc.; CISA SCuBA baselines are public domain (CC0).

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