Microsoft Windows Server 2025
Windows Server 2025 data files owned by users must be on a different logical partition from the directory server data files
Description
When directory service data files, especially for directories used for identification, authentication, or authorization, reside on the same logical partition as user-owned files, the directory service data may be more vulnerable to unauthorized access or other availability compromises. Directory service and user-owned data files sharing a partition may be configured with less restrictive permissions to allow access to the user data.
The directory service may be vulnerable to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack when user-owned files on a common partition are expanded to an extent preventing the directory service from acquiring more space for directory or audit data.
Check
This applies to domain controllers. It is not applicable for other systems.
Run "Regedit".
Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NTDS\Parameters".
Note the directory locations in the values for "DSA Database file".
Open a command prompt.
Enter "net share".
Note the logical drive(s) or file system partition for any organization-created data shares.
Ignore system shares (e.g., NETLOGON, SYSVOL, and administrative shares ending in $). User shares that are hidden (ending with $) must not be ignored.
If user shares are located on the same logical partition as the directory server data files, this is a finding.
Fix
Move shares used to store files owned by users to a different logical partition than the directory server data files.