Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) Now Available

May 1, 2015 – 5:36 PM

Microsoft is offering the Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) that provides a solution to the issue of using a common local account with an identical password on every computer in a domain. LAPS resolves this issue by setting a different, random password for the common local administrator account on every computer in the domain. Domain administrators using the solution can determine which users, such as helpdesk administrators, are authorized to read passwords.

Compromised identical local account credentials could allow elevation of privilege if an attacker uses them to elevate from a local user/administrator to a domain/enterprise administrator. Local administrator credentials are needed for occasions when logon is required without domain access. In large environments, password management can become complex, leading to poor security practices, and such environments greatly increase the risk of a Pass-the-Hash (PtH) credential replay attack.

LAPS simplifies password management while helping customers implement recommended defenses against cyberattacks. In particular, the solution mitigates the risk of lateral escalation that results when customers use the same administrative local account and password combination on their computers.

Source:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/3062591