Preparing Unix-based systems
Safeguard for Privileged Passwords uses the SSH protocol to connect to Unix-based systems.
To prepare Unix-based systems (AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Macintosh OS X, Solaris, and FreeBSD platforms)
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Create a service account on the asset with sufficient permissions.
You need to at least configure a password for the service account. If you want to use an SSH key generated and configured by Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, then you also need to make sure the service account’s home directory exists.
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Ensure that the service account can run the following list of commands with root privileges non-interactively; that is, without prompting for a password.
For example, on a Linux system add the following line in the sudoers file:
<SerAcctName> ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/passwd
The commands a service account must run with root privileges non-interactively are:
Linux and most Unix-based systems:
AIX:
Mac OS X
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Enable and configure the SSH server to allow the service account to log in remotely. For example, on a Mac, enable Remote Login for the service account.
Note: Different versions of Linux and Unix may require slightly different parameters for SSH configuration. Consult a Linux/Unix system administrator or the system documentation for assistance.
Preparing Windows systems
Safeguard for Privileged Passwords supports Windows systems.
OpenSSH on Windows 7 and 8
The OpenSSH port on Windows 7 and 8 has server-side limitations on command execution. Password operations may appear to run more slowly because commands do not return until the timeout expires, even if the command has already completed on the server. You may need to reduce the CommandTimeout when running TestConnection, ChangePassword and CheckPassword.
To prepare Windows systems for Safeguard for Privileged Passwords
- Create a service account on the asset and assign it a password:
- Directory Configuration
If the Windows system is joined to a domain that will be managed in Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can use a directory account, such as a Microsoft Active Directory account to manage the asset. Enable the Password Never Expires option; once you add the asset to Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can have the service account password auto-managed to keep it secure.
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- Local Configuration
If the Windows system is not joined to a domain, then use a local service account that has been granted sufficient permissions.
- Grant the service account sufficient permissions to change account permissions to to allow changing account passwords. For more information, see Minimum required permissions for Windows assets.
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Configure the system's firewall to allow the following predefined incoming rules:
These rules allow incoming traffic on TCP port 135 and TCP SMB 445, respectively.
- Ensure the following ports are accessible:
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Change the local security policy:
Before Safeguard for Privileged Passwords can reset local account passwords on Windows systems, using a service account that is a non-built-in administrator, you must change the local security policy to disable the User Account Control (UAC) Admin Approval Mode (Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode) option. For more information, see Change password fails.
For additional information on ports, see Safeguard ports.
Minimum required permissions for Windows assets
The following minimum permissions are required for Windows assets to perform directory password management and sessions management tasks using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI).
Asset password management
Using a local account or domain account:
- Test connection, Check connection, Password check, and Account discovery tasks require the following permissions:
- Remote Enable permission on WMI's CIMV2 Namespace
- Enable Account permission on WMI's CIMV2 Namespace
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Remote Activation permission on computer via DCOM.
To set Remote Enable and Enable Account permissions
- Open wmimgmt.msc.
- Right-click WMI Control (Local) and select Properties.
- Select the Security tab.
- Expand the Root node.
- Select the CIMV2 node.
- Click the Security button.
- Add user/group and select Remote Enable and Enable Account.
- Click OK.
To set Remote Activation permissions
- Open dcomcnfg.
- Expand Component Services | Computers.
- Right-click My Computer and select Properties.
- Open the COM Security tab.
- Under Launch and Activation Permissions, select Edit Limits.
- Add user/group and select Allow for Remote Activation.
- Click OK.
- Password change task requires the following permission:
- Member of Local Administrators group
Domain password management
Using a Domain account:
- Test connection, Check connection, Password check, and Account discovery tasks require the following permissions:
- Password change task requires that the Service account has the following delegated permissions:
Asset session access
Using a local account:
- Member of Remote Desktop Users group
- Defined in the "Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services" policy (directly or via group membership)
- Not defined in the "Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services" policy (directly or via group membership)
Using a Domain account:
- Defined in the Remote Desktop Users group or be a member of a domain security group by a group policy update to the Remote Desktop Users group for that asset
- Defined in the "Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services" policy (directly or via group membership)
- Not defined in the "Deny log on through Remote Desktop Services" policy (directly or via group membership)
Preparing Windows SSH systems
Safeguard for Privileged Passwords supports Windows SSH systems. Windows SSH uses port 22 on the platform.
To prepare Windows SSH systems for Safeguard for Privileged Passwords
- Ensure the SSH server service is running.
- Create a service account on the asset and assign it a password:
- Directory Configuration
If the Windows SSH system is joined to a domain that will be managed in Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can use a directory account, such as a Microsoft Active Directory account to manage the asset. Enable the Password Never Expires option; once you add the asset to Safeguard for Privileged Passwords, you can have the service account password auto-managed to keep it secure.
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- Local Configuration
If the Windows SSH system is not joined to a domain, then use a local service account that has been granted sufficient permissions.
- Ensure the service account is added to the local Administrator's group to allow change password permissions.