Posture check · Entra ID and hybrid
Unexpected holder of a directory sync role (T1078.004)
Directory sync roles are for the service account that Microsoft Entra Connect or cloud sync creates. Any other holder can write directory objects the way the sync service does.
Why it matters
An attacker who controls a holder can change directory objects through the sync interface. That can take over accounts or leave a backdoor.
How GraphnAI finds it
It runs after every sync, on each connected domain or tenant on its own. It applies to Microsoft Entra ID.
It reads:
- The directory attributes
userType,userPrincipalNameandonPremisesSyncEnabled - Group memberships
- 2 more GraphnAI analyses
Tiered Fidelity™ level: Theoretical
Every finding from this check carries the Theoretical level.
- TheoreticalThis checkConfigured in the directory. Nothing else checked.
- ConstrainedA constraint on it has been checked.
- ValidatedTelemetry has seen it in use.
How Select Fire™ fixes it
How to fix it
Remove the directory sync role from every account except the sync service account. If the account also holds another admin role, remove that role instead.
What Select Fire changes
Select Fire opens from the finding and simulates each change on your live graph before anything changes in your directory.
- Remove directory role assignment For user accounts, groups and service principals.Manual: you approve each change one at a time, and no automation runs it.
Removing an admin role assignment takes that access away at once. Removing the sync role from the account Microsoft Entra Connect or cloud sync uses stops directory synchronization until it's restored.
By hand: If the account also holds another admin role, remove that admin role: the sync service account should hold only the sync role. Otherwise, remove the directory sync role from this account. Only the sync service account created by Microsoft Entra Connect or cloud sync should hold it.
Related checks
MITRE ATT&CK® technique names and MITRE D3FEND™ technique labels: © The MITRE Corporation. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of The MITRE Corporation. ATT&CK® is a registered trademark and D3FEND™ a trademark of The MITRE Corporation.
See it on your own directory.
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