Re: Windows Server without AD?

[Ansgar Wiechers <bugtraq () planetcobalt net>]

On 2009-12-04 Scott Race wrote:
> Hello, I have come across a Windows Server 2003 system that has not had
> AD (or DNS or DHCP) installed on it.  It does have Terminal Services
> installed (5 licenses) and there are local accounts setup for each user.
> Single server for the organization.
>
> What are the security implications of not having AD installed?

If anything it's increasing security, because the server is running less
services.

> I'm assuming one would be that it'd be easy to reset the local Admin
> password and gain access to the box.

Resetting the admin password on a domain controller isn't significantly
harder than resetting the admin password on a standalone server. If an
attacker has physical access to the host you're screwed either way,
unless you your disks are encrypted.

Regards
Ansgar Wiechers
-- 
"All vulnerabilities deserve a public fear period prior to patches
becoming available."
--Jason Coombs on Bugtraq

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