SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

Barry Hudson Desktop Systems Team Lead SRNS Aiken, SC 29808 barry.hudson@srs.gov 803/725-8463
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Abstract
SRS has approximately 10,000 PCs, the majority of which are centrally managed. The major project for 2008 was to secure these desktops by removing routine user of Administrator accounts. This was completed in parallel with a project to employ all applicable FDCC Group Policies. In less than 8 months, all managed desktops were converted to the Secure Desktop model. Over 9000 XP systems were converted to NTFS, administrator privileges removed, and software called BeyondTrust Privilege Manager was used to elevate privileges when needed for routine operation and software updates. This presentation will outline the challenges and solutions used to make the transition to Secure Desktop without making it Desktop Lockdown. It was achieved ahead of schedule, with existing staffing levels, and with fewer than 100 visits to the desktops.

SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

Drivers and Background

PC configuration management has been a consistent OIO audit finding since 2001 Various policies, procedures, and processes have been implemented over time but the administrative privileges have not been removed from the user Another Audit was scheduled for September 2008
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This Is Just 1 Piece of The Puzzle

Overview of Comprehensive Desktop Management at SRS
WSUS patching, WinInstall updates, Symantec AntiVirus Cisco Clean Access Posture Check and Remediation IVIS scanning

Vulnerability and Patch Management Team (VPMT)

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Automated Daily Sans Top 20 Scans via Hercules and IVIS

Manual Internal Netstat (Network Statistics tool) Supplemented with Selective External NMAP (Network Mapper open source network security Audit Tool including identifying services offered) scans on a weekly basis

Nikto / Web Application scans to Capture vulnerabilities on a monthly basis (Nikto is open source web server scanner performing multiple checks

Oracle Oscanner Scans on a quarterly basis

V&P M

IVIS
(Nessus Based Engine) Data

Alter routine scans to incorporate port info found IVIS VPM Reports IVIS Low Hanging Fruit / Easily Exploitable Vulnerabilities Report

VPMT Weekly Meeting to review, status & track High risk vuln. to closure within 45 days or exile from network Daily review by VPM Rep and remedy of LHF within 24 hrs or exile from network

List of devices Requiring manual vuln. & web application scans*

No

Delayed scan request run within 30 days?

Data
Quarterly Scan Results

Routine Scans

Follow Up Scans

Unseen Host Scans

Ad Hoc Scans

Yes

Nessus Scans

Scan lists are created from ARP Table such that the entire site is covered within 1 week. Secondary Secondary Network Secondary Network Network Secondary Network

If IVIS scans show vulnerabilities, follow up scans occur daily.

Every hour devices on the network are checked for record of scan in last 7 days; if not full scan commences.

Cisco Ops Ware/ NAS Policy Compliance Check run by Networks And reported monthly.

Secondary Network
(Stand Alone)

SRSNet

HP Jet Admin Scanning Function run Daily for discovery.

*Ad hoc scans are requested with a VPMT rep

SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

Project Scope
Remove routine use of users with Administrator privileges
Limits Malware propagation Users would be limited to install approved, standard applications (i.e. WinInstall Applications). Restricts implementation of local peripherals.

Security configuration management is strictly enforced

Users less able to install vulnerable software Group Policy enforcements where possible

Implement FDCC policies Work in parallel with other scanning, patching, and security initiatives Finish quickly, in time for the Going 4 Green audit

SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

What PCs Are Out There ?

Operating Systems
7000 Windows XP 2000 Windows 2000 (Reload with XP) 1500 Controllers and specialty systems Owner is Admin, others have non-Admin access

Software Inventory Results

Almost 200 Centrally-managed Applications (WinInstall) Over 40,000 identified self-installed applications
Will they continue to run? What happens if they need to be reinstalled or updated?

About 2500 systems had no additional software

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But Wait! Removing Administrator Rights Doesnt Buy You Much

Programs can be installed in the user space Current User registry is not protected from Run, RunOnce, etc. Why not whitelist all approved applications And scan more often And it will cost $500,000 or more to implement Our time would be better spent doing more of what works

SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

But Wait! Removing Administrator Rights Doesnt Buy You Much

Programs can be installed in the user space Current User registry is not protected from Run, RunOnce, etc. Why not whitelist all approved applications And scan more often And it will cost $500,000 or more to implement Our time would be better spent doing more of what works

SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

Orders From Headquarters

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Impacts to the Business & Status Quo

Users will not be able to perform activities that require administrative access.
Installing software from CDs Creating file shares Adding software drivers such as scanners and printers Certain other system modifications

Activities requiring administrative privileges must be performed by IT support personnel or special accounts for the users Existing supported applications will be assessed and modified to install and run in this environment User supplied applications will be accommodated or converted to managed applications
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Planning Assumptions
Barry, youre no longer in the customer service business, you are in the security business Things will break Processes will fail, but not always immediately We will learn as we go Some systems will be easier to migrate than others Focus on Managed Desktops first (8500) - XP Only
Review of WinInstall applications Review of local applications Pick the least likely to fail systems first Pilot migration of some tough systems

Then tackle controllers and shared systems (1000) And finally specialty systems (500) And hope everything runs at FY year-end closure
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Design Assumptions
The site needs to do business in the manner they are accustomed to Proactive planning will establish working footprint but likely anticipate only <80% of the issues Costs: Software, Staffing, Lost Productivity
$500,000 + 10 FTE + TBD > $1.5 million

Increased support staff, apps review, new processes Not enough time to test all standard apps will load and run Things will break, Processes will fail, We will learn as we go
40,000 apps that we have not idea how to test

We will allow deferrals (the thorn in my side) Doing FDCC and Secure Desktop at the same time
Makes it hard to determine what broke it
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Staffing requirements
What we asked for:
Desktop Team: 2 people fulltime for 1 year Field Support: 2 visits per year x 1 hour x 10,000 systems = 20,000 hours = 10 FTEs

What we got:
2 Help Desk Agents Desktop Team delayed priorities for 6 months An accelerated schedule (Get the pain over quicker)
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SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

Selling It
Tell them why, when, and how Pick a non-threatening name
Secure Desktop vs. Desktop Lockdown

Publicity campaign, Sitewide Emails, Roadshows to Customers Involve customers, Computer Security, IT, and management
Weekly meetings of 20+ stakeholders 100+ issues and concerns

IT and DOE Security goes first (walk the talk) Provide a safety-valve (add the user back as Administrator) Things will break, Processes will fail, We will learn as we go I made a Promise
If you cant still do your job with Secure Desktop, that means I have not done my job right.
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Publicity Campaign

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Early Discoveries
Life as Non-Admin (life changes)
Restricts access to registry, printer installs, software installs Cant setup scheduled tasks

Life as Non-Admin with NTFS (life gets really interesting)

NTFS Restricts access to files and folders (eg c:\Windows, c:\Program Files, Local Apps, default profiles, and more) Cant read other users or All Users profiles

Some apps might need to be modified or sections of PC opened up for them to run
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Technical Tools to Make It Work

BeyondTrust Privilege Manager to elevate privileges when needed
Approx 160 rules in place To install software To run some software Elevate System processes (eg TCP/IP Configure, Add Local Printer, VPN Firewall, Plug and Play) Provides Inheritance so that auto-installers can retain rights

Use CACLs to tighten or loosen file and folder permissions

Approx 100 exceptions needed Some apps write INI files to c:\program files

Refine Registry permissions (CACL or BeyondTrust)

Some apps change HKLocalMachine or HKClassesRoot

Add and manage Non-person domain account with privs

For hands-on support For system updates and automated processes

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More About BeyondTrust

Attach permission levels to Windows applications and processes Integrated with Active Directory and applied through Group Policy Policy is applied by creating rules in the Group Policy Object Editor (using their GUI) Operates transparently to the end-user Permits least privilege elevation Costs about $30 per seat ($300,000 plus 15%)
Container license vs. Domain license Computer object limit and user limit
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Examples of Rules
Rules can permit or elevate based on 1. GUID or URL-specific ActiveX controls 2. Residence in a particular Folder 3. Hash of the file 4. MSI that is being installed 5. Specific Path of the file 6. Other attributes Recommendations: 1. Use a Hash when possible Multiple versions (eg Flash4 and Flash5) are allowed 2. Avoid Path and Folder rules if you do not control the fileshare Dont open a path or share where anyone can drop an installer or EXE 3. Look for inadvertent inheritance to downward processes An elevated DOS box can be a big hole
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BeyondTrust Configuration Screen

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Process Tools to Make It Work

How to permit users and field support to regain Administrator rights when needed
Locally written tool to add Admin back to PC and log the reason

Temporary Restoration of Administrator Rights (TRAP)

20-30 per day added by Help Desk TRAP process should be followed by a scan after user does install 200+ Admin Restores exist at any point in time

The PA process and PC-SPPT-xx groups

PA Personal Admin account allows selected users to support their PC PC-SPPT-xx groups added to specific Workgroup PCs (shadow support)

The CS/DA process

Computer Support accounts for installers and Field Support Desktop Admin accounts for my staff

RunAs and Remote Administration Non-secured machines that are offline are identified and secured within 2 days of connection Daily inventory to check settings, TRAP abuse, lost sheep returning
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Who Gets to Go First?

Management champions
IT and DOE Security goes first (walk the talk) SRNL gets a gold star (150 of the 1st volunteers)

Ask for volunteers (motivate them with get better help before the storm) Verify laptop, VPN, and off-line operations Email campaign with magic button to migrate now
Sent to users with no known extra applications (Dear User:)

Convincing users to participate. Not everyone is special

Look, SRNL did it and is still running!

Allow Deferrals only for Good Reason (preferably classes of systems, eg Doc Mgt, Maintenance, Controllers) Publicize your success, acknowledge your weaknesses
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The Schedule
The Planned Schedule 10-12/07 proof of concept 1/08-3/08 100 user pilot 30 days to regroup 4/08-5/08 1000 easy systems 6/08-12/08 6000 total migrated The Forced Schedule 10-12/07 proof of concept 1/08-2/20/08 50 user pilot 2/25/08 500 users added 2/26-3/5/08 1500 easy systems 3/08-5/08 6000 total migrated 6/08-12/08 deferrals 1/09-2/09 who is hiding?
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SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

Migration Rate
Secure Desktop Rate
10000 9000 8000 Total Numb er S ecured 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
350 300 250 500 450 400 10,134 Desktop Secured in 2008 Number Secured Per Day

Dont run out of licenses! Push it till it breaks

Planned Actual

Push it till it breaks Deferrals released

Month

The 2000 jump-start provides confidence. Sure, they are still running but what about at the end of the month?

200 150 100 50 0 4/7/2008 5/5/2008 6/2/2008 2/11/2008 2/25/2008 3/10/2008 3/24/2008 4/21/2008 5/19/2008 6/16/2008 6/30/2008 7/14/2008 7/28/2008 8/11/2008 8/25/2008 9/8/2008 9/22/2008 10/6/2008 11/3/2008 10/20/ 2008 11/17/ 2008 12/1/2008 12/15/ 2008

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12/29/ 2008

Automating the Migration Process

Make all of WinInstall BeyondTrust Aware NTFS Conversion via email Magic Button invitations and forced WinInstall Pre-req before getting added to the Scheduler list The Secure Desktop Scheduler Triggers at login if you are on the list, NTFS, and an Administrator Launches the upgrade process in WinInstall One giant WinInstall Install BeyondTrust Privilege Manager Install Basic CACLS to secure additional selected folders (approx 10) Add Local Printer shortcut Temporary folder for 16 bit applications in location not under c:\windows Remove Administrators from Computer and randomize local password Move Computer to BeyondTrust Container Apply Common CACLS to open additional selected subfolders (approx 100) Write all done logfile About 100 systems did not migrate and required reload
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SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

What Broke It and How to Remedy It

Secure Desktop gets blamed for everything! Diagnosis
App wont install or wont run? Is everything broken or something specific? Is BeyondTrust running? Do you have the current rules? Add user back as Admin and see if it fixes it This is your safety net Keeps the business running while you figure it out Look for activity in the NTFS-protected folders (Program Files, Windows, System32, etc) Look for activity in the Registry Triage to identify commonalities

Repair
Elevate the program (hash vs. path) Liberalize rights on sub-folders or files (CACLS) Change program configuration (set INI file or prefs files to write elsewhere)
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SRS Secure Desktop Project Running Without Administrator Privileges

Phase-in of New Secure Desktops

Unfair to put installers on the front lines
Deliver and add user as Admin Permit users or installer to add software Scan the system for vulnerabilities Add to the SD migration list after 3 days

All Windows 2000 were re-built on-site as Secured Deliver As-Secure at the end of the project
Local Admin used only to add to domain Then remove all Admins

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Unexpected Issues
Chicken and Egg situations
Have to be an Admin to become secured But our goal is to eliminate Admin users

How to pre-build a secured machine Dealing with the absence of a universal Administrator account
There is no local administrator to break in with 90 day lost of trust issues Cached login with last good user

Set Owner Issues

Some files are owned by the installer and cannot be accessed by others or have provided unwanted access to install folders

Essential things did not work and need elevation

Defrag, Clock, Ipconfig, RunOnce after installs

Issues with multi-user systems

No unrestricted place to put turnover files Screensaver locked at shift change
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Ongoing Maintenance
Daily Un-TRAP of Admin Restores
Look for abuse Propagate PA and PC-SPPT-xx accounts

Verify new installs are secured All scanning and remdiation activities must be Secure-Desktop aware Add rules as issues arise (about 4 per month)
New products Stuff breaks Updates to existing rules

BeyondTrust product enhancements

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Summary
Project success despite objections from users and reluctance of IT staff
Early 500/day was a crazy idea but provided valuable insight and confidence Almost finished before we had planned to get started

Critical success factors

Publicity campaign Top level management support Acknowledgement that things would break Availability of a relief valve (Restore Admin user) Ability to select and throttle the update list
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Questions

Barry Hudson
Desktop Systems Team Lead SRNS Bldg 773-51A Aiken, SC 29808 barry.hudson@srs.gov 803/725-8463

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