Learn Editor: Update replace-entra-connect-default-admin.md

Author: LiorShapiraa

ATPDocs/replace-entra-connect-default-admin.md

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+---
+# Required metadata
+# For more information, see https://review.learn.microsoft.com/en-us/help/platform/learn-editor-add-metadata?branch=main
+# For valid values of ms.service, ms.prod, and ms.topic, see https://review.learn.microsoft.com/en-us/help/platform/metadata-taxonomies?branch=main
+
+title:       # Add a title for the browser tab
+description: # Add a meaningful description for search results
+author:      LiorShapiraa # GitHub alias
+ms.author:   t-lshapira # Microsoft alias
+ms.service:  # Add the ms.service or ms.prod value
+# ms.prod:   # To use ms.prod, uncomment it and delete ms.service
+ms.topic:    # Add the ms.topic value
+ms.date:     03/16/2025
+---
+
+# Security assessment: Replace Enterprise or Domain Admin account for Entra Connect AD DS Connector account
+
+This article describes Microsoft Defender for Identity's Microsoft Entra Connect AD DS Connector account default admin security posture assessment report.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> This security assessment will be available only if Microsoft Defender for Identity sensor is installed on servers running Microsoft Entra Connect services.
+
+## Why might using an Enterprise or Domain Admin account for the Microsoft Entra Connect AD DS Connector be a risk?
+
+Smart attackers often target Microsoft Entra Connect in on-premises environments due to the elevated privileges associated with its AD DS Connector account (typically created in Active Directory with the MSOL**_** prefix). Using an **Enterprise Admin** or **Domain Admin** account for this purpose significantly increases the attack surface, as these accounts have broad control over the directory.
+
+Starting with [Entra Connect build 1.4.###.#](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/reference-connect-accounts-permissions), Enterprise Admin and Domain Admin accounts can no longer be used as the AD DS Connector account. This best practice prevents over-privileging the connector account, reducing the risk of domain-wide compromise if the account is targeted by attackers. Organizations must now create or assign a lower-privileged account specifically for directory synchronization, ensuring better adherence to the principle of least privilege and protecting critical admin accounts.
+
+## How do I use this security assessment to improve my hybrid organizational security posture?
+
+1. Review the recommended action at[ https://security.microsoft.com/securescore?viewid=actions](https://security.microsoft.com/securescore?viewid=actions) for Replace Enterprise or Domain Admin account for Entra Connect AD DS Connector account.
+
+1. Review the exposed accounts and their group memberships. The list contains members of Domain/Enterprise Admins through direct and recursive membership.
+
+1. Perform one of the following actions:
+
+   - Remove MSOL_ user account user from privileged groups, ensuring it retains the necessary permissions to function as the Entra Connect Connector account.
+   
+   - Change the Entra Connect AD DS Connector account (MSOL_) to a lower-privileged account. 
+   
+> [!NOTE]
+> While assessments are updated in near real time, scores and statuses are updated every 24 hours. While the list of impacted entities is updated within a few minutes of your implementing the recommendations, the status may still take time until it's marked as **Completed**.
+
+## Next steps
+
+- Learn more about [Microsoft Secure score]().
+
+- Learn more about [Defender for Identity Sensor for Microsoft Entra Connect](https://aka.ms/MdiSensorForMicrosoftEntraConnectInstallation)
+

ATPDocs/toc.yml

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     Connector account
   href: replace-entra-connect-default-admin.md
   displayName: MDI
-- name: Microsoft Defender for Identity Documentation
-  href: index.yml
-- name: Overview
-  items:
-  - name: Welcome to Defender for Identity
-    href: what-is.md
-  - name: What's new?
-    href: whats-new.md
-  - name: Deploy and monitor for Zero Trust
-    href: zero-trust.md
-  - name: System architecture
-    href: architecture.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity in the Microsoft Defender portal
-    href: microsoft-365-security-center-mdi.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity for US Government
-    href: us-govt-gcc-high.md
-- name: Deploy
-  expanded: true
-  items:
-  - name: Quick installation guide
-    href: deploy/quick-installation-guide.md
-  - name: Pilot and deploy Microsoft Defender XDR
-    href: /defender-xdr/pilot-deploy-overview?toc=/defender-for-identity/toc.json&bc=/defender-for-identity/breadcrumb/toc.json
-  - name: Defender for Identity deployment overview
-    href: deploy/deploy-defender-identity.md
-  - name: Plan and prepare
-    items:
-    - name: Defender for Identity prerequisites
-      href: deploy/prerequisites.md
-    - name: Plan your Defender for Identity capacity
-      href: deploy/capacity-planning.md
-  - name: Deploy Defender for Identity
-    items:
-    - name: Configure connectivity settings
-      href: deploy/configure-proxy.md
-      displayName: proxy
-    - name: Test connectivity settings
-      href: deploy/test-connectivity.md
-    - name: Download the Defender for Identity sensor
-      href: deploy/download-sensor.md
-    - name: Install the Defender for Identity sensor
-      href: deploy/install-sensor.md
-    - name: Configure the Defender for Identity sensor
-      href: deploy/configure-sensor-settings.md
-  - name: Post-deployment configuration
-    items:
-    - name: Configure event collection
-      items:
-      - name: Event collection overview 
-        href: deploy/event-collection-overview.md
-      - name: Configure audit policies for Windows event logs
-        href: deploy/configure-windows-event-collection.md
-    - name: Roles and permissions
-      href: role-groups.md
-    - name: Configure a Directory Service account
-      items:
-      - name: Overview
-        href: deploy/directory-service-accounts.md
-        displayName: Directory Service Account, DSA
-      - name: Configure a DSA with a gMSA
-        href: deploy/create-directory-service-account-gmsa.md
-    - name: Configure remote calls to SAM
-      href: deploy/remote-calls-sam.md
-  - name: Extra deployment scenarios
-    items:
-    - name: Install on Microsoft AD FS / AD CS / Entra Connect servers
-      href: deploy/active-directory-federation-services.md
-    - name: Configure action accounts
-      href: deploy/manage-action-accounts.md
-    - name: Deploy for multiple Active Directory forests
-      href: deploy/multi-forest.md
-    - name: Configure a standalone sensor
-      items:
-      - name: Prerequisites for a standalone sensor
-        href: deploy/prerequisites-standalone.md
-      - name: Configure port mirroring
-        href: deploy/configure-port-mirroring.md
-        displayName: standalone
-      - name: Configure Windows Event Forwarding
-        href: deploy/configure-event-forwarding.md
-        displayName: standalone
-      - name: Listen for SIEM events
-        href: deploy/configure-event-collection.md
-        displayName: standalone
-    - name: Activate Defender for Identity capabilities on your domain controller
-      href: deploy/activate-capabilities.md
-- name: Manage
-  items:
-  - name: View the ITDR dashboard
-    href: dashboard.md
-  - name: View and manage health issues
-    href: health-alerts.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity reports
-    href: reports.md
-  - name: Settings
-    items:
-    - name: About page
-      href: settings-about.md
-    - name: Manage and update sensors
-      href: sensor-settings.md
-    - name: Uninstall a sensor
-      href: uninstall-sensor.md
-    - name: VPN integration
-      href: vpn-integration.md
-    - name: Set entity tags
-      href: entity-tags.md
-    - name: Configure detection exclusions
-      href: exclusions.md
-    - name: Automated response exclusions
-      href: automated-response-exclusions.md
-    - name: Email and syslog notifications
-      href: notifications.md
-    - name: Adjust alert thresholds
-      href: advanced-settings.md
-      displayName: advanced settings
-  - name: Troubleshooting
-    items:
-    - name: Troubleshooting known issues
-      href: troubleshooting-known-issues.md
-    - name: Troubleshoot using logs
-      href: troubleshooting-using-logs.md
-- name: Investigate and respond
-  items:
-  - name: Assets
-    items:
-    - name: Identity inventory
-      href: identity-inventory.md
-    - name: Investigate assets
-      href: investigate-assets.md
-  - name: Lateral movement paths
-    items:
-    - name: Understand and investigate lateral movement paths
-      href: understand-lateral-movement-paths.md
-  - name: Alerts
-    items:
-    - name: Alerts overview
-      href: alerts-overview.md
-    - name: Understanding security alerts
-      href: understanding-security-alerts.md
-    - name: Investigate security alerts
-      href: manage-security-alerts.md
-    - name: Monitored activities
-      href: monitored-activities.md
-    - name: Understanding Network Name Resolution (NNR)
-      href: nnr-policy.md
-    - name: Reconnaissance and discovery alerts
-      href: reconnaissance-discovery-alerts.md
-    - name: Persistence and privilege escalation alerts
-      href: persistence-privilege-escalation-alerts.md
-    - name: Credential access alerts
-      href: credential-access-alerts.md
-    - name: Lateral movement alerts
-      href: lateral-movement-alerts.md
-    - name: Other alerts
-      href: other-alerts.md
-  - name: Remediation
-    items:
-    - name: Remediation actions
-      href: remediation-actions.md
-  - name: Security posture
-    items:
-     - name: Overview
-       href: security-assessment.md
-     - name: Hybrid security
-       items:
-       - name: Replace Enterprise or Domain Admin account for Entra Connect AD DS
-           Connector account
-         href: replace-entra-connect-default-admin.md
-         displayName: MDI
-       - name: Change password for Microsoft Entra seamless SSO account
-         href: change-password-microsoft-entra-seamless-single-sign-on.md
-         displayName: Microsoft Entra connect
-       - name: Rotate password for Microsoft Entra Connect connector account
-         href: rotate-password-microsoft-entra-connect.md
-         displayName: Microsoft Entra Connect
-       - name: Remove unnecessary replication permissions for Microsoft Entra Connect connector account
-         href: remove-replication-permissions-microsoft-entra-connect.md
-     - name: Identity infrastructure
-       items:
-       - name: Built-in Active Directory Guest account is enabled
-         href: built-in-active-directory-guest-account-is-enabled.md
-       - name: Change Domain Controller computer account old password
-         href: domain-controller-account-password-change.md
-       - name: Domain controllers with Print spooler service available assessment
-         href: security-assessment-print-spooler.md
-       - name: Remove local admins on identity assets
-         href: security-assessment-remove-local-admins.md   
-       - name: Unmonitored domain controllers
-         href: security-assessment-unmonitored-domain-controller.md
-       - name: Unsecure domain configurations
-         href: security-assessment-unsecure-domain-configurations.md
-     - name: Certificates
-       items: 
-        - name: Enforce encryption for RPC certificate enrollment interface  (ESC8)
-          href: security-assessment-enforce-encryption-rpc.md
-        - name: Insecure ADCS certificate enrollment IIS endpoints (ESC8)
-          href: security-assessment-insecure-adcs-certificate-enrollment.md
-        - name: Misconfigured certificate templates owner  (ESC4)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-owner.md
-        - name: Misconfigured Certificate Authority ACL  (ESC7)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-ca-acl.md
-        - name: Misconfigured certificate templates ACL (ESC4)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-acl.md
-        - name: Misconfigured enrollment agent certificate template  (ESC3)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-enrollment-agent.md    
-        - name: Overly permissive certificate template with privileged EKU (ESC2)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-overly-permissive-template.md
-        - name: Prevent Certificate Enrollment with arbitrary Application Policies (ESC15)
-          href: prevent-certificate-enrollment-esc15.md
-        - name: Prevent requests for certificates valid for arbitrary users  (ESC1)
-          href: security-assessment-prevent-users-request-certificate.md
-        - name: Vulnerable Certificate Authority setting (ESC6)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-vulnerable-ca-setting.md
-     - name: Group policy 
-       items: 
-        - name: GPO assigns unprivileged identities to local groups with elevated privileges
-          href: gpo-assigns-unprivileged-identities.md
-        - name: GPO can be modified by unprivileged accounts
-          href: modified-unprivileged-accounts-gpo.md
-        - name: Reversible passwords found in GPOs
-          href: reversible-passwords-group-policy.md
-     - name: Accounts
-       items: 
-         - name: Accounts with non-default Primary Group ID
-           href: accounts-with-non-default-pgid.md 
-         - name: Admin SDHolder permissions
-           href: security-assessment-remove-suspicious-access-rights.md
-         - name: Change password for krbtgt account
-           href: change-password-krbtgt-account.md
-         - name: Change password of built-in domain Administrator account
-           href: change-password-domain-administrator-account.md
-         - name: Dormant entities in sensitive groups assessment
-           href: security-assessment-dormant-entities.md
-         - name: DCSync permissions
-           href: security-assessment-non-admin-accounts-dcsync.md
-         - name: Ensure privileged accounts are not delegated
-           href: ensure-privileged-accounts-with-sensitive-flag.md
-         - name: Entities exposing credentials in clear text assessment
-           href: security-assessment-clear-text.md
-         - name: LAPS usage assessment
-           href: security-assessment-laps.md
-         - name: Riskiest lateral movement paths
-           href: security-assessment-riskiest-lmp.md
-         - name: Unsecure Kerberos delegation assessment
-           href: security-assessment-unconstrained-kerberos.md
-         - name: Unsecure SID History attributes
-           href: security-assessment-unsecure-sid-history-attribute.md
-         - name: Unsecure account attributes
-           href: security-assessment-unsecure-account-attributes.md
-         - name: Weak cipher usage assessment
-           href: security-assessment-weak-cipher.md
-- name: Reference
-  items:
-  - name: Operations guide
-    items:
-    - name: Overview
-      displayName: operations guide
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide.md
-    - name: Daily activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-daily.md
-    - name: Weekly activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-weekly.md
-    - name: Monthly activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-monthly.md
-    - name: Quarterly / Ad-hoc activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-quarterly.md
-  - name: Frequently asked questions
-    href: technical-faq.yml
-  - name: SIEM log reference
-    href: cef-format-sa.md
-  - name: PowerShell
-    href: /powershell/defenderforidentity/overview-defenderforidentity
-  - name: Support
-    href: support.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity data security and privacy
-    href: privacy-compliance.md
-  - name: Security baseline
-    href: /security/benchmark/azure/baselines/defender-for-identity-security-baseline?toc=/defender-for-identity/toc.json
-  - name: What's new archive
-    href: whats-new-archive.md
-  - name: Migrate from Advanced Threat Analytics (ATA)
-    href: migrate-from-ata-overview.md
-- name: Microsoft Defender XDR Docs
-  items:
-  - name: Microsoft Defender XDR
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/defender/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender for Office 365
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/office-365-security/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
-    href: /cloud-app-security/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/defender-vulnerability-management/