Securing Entra Connect Server with HSM/vTPM: A Practical Guide

By /

Listen to this Post

Featured Image
Nathan McNulty highlights the importance of configuring HSM (Hardware Security Module) or vTPM (Virtual Trusted Platform Module) for Entra Connect servers to enhance security. For scenarios where these aren’t available, he provides a helper script (linked below).

🔗 Reference URL: https://lnkd.in/gjp-iM9X

You Should Know:

1. Why HSM/vTPM for Entra Connect?

  • HSM ensures cryptographic keys are stored in a tamper-resistant hardware device.
  • vTPM provides virtualized secure storage for keys in cloud/VMs.

2. Verify HSM/vTPM Availability

Linux (Using OpenSC for HSM)

 Check if HSM is detected 
opensc-tool -l 
 Verify TPM module (Linux) 
ls /dev/tpm

Windows (Check TPM Status)

 Check TPM status 
Get-Tpm 
 List HSM providers (if installed) 
Get-ChildItem "Cert:\LocalMachine\My" | Where-Object { $_.HardwareKey -eq $true }

3. Helper Script for Non-HSM/vTPM Scenarios

Nathan’s script likely automates key encryption fallback (e.g., using DPAPI or software-based protections). Example snippet:

 Backup Entra Connect encryption keys (fallback) 
Backup-EntraConnectKeys -Path "C:\secure\backup" -UseSoftwareProtection

4. Manual Key Backup (Windows)

 Export Entra Connect encryption certificate 
Export-PfxCertificate -Cert "Cert:\LocalMachine\My\<Thumbprint>" -FilePath "C:\backup\entra.pfx" -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString -String "YourPassword" -AsPlainText -Force)

5. Enable vTPM in Hyper-V/Azure

 Hyper-V VM with vTPM 
Set-VMKeyProtector -VMName "EntraConnectVM" -NewLocalKeyProtector 
Enable-VMTPM -VMName "EntraConnectVM"

What Undercode Say:

  • HSM/vTPM is critical for protecting authentication keys from extraction.
  • Without hardware protection, attackers can export keys via memory scraping (e.g., Mimikatz).
  • Fallback scripts are temporary fixes—prioritize HSM/vTPM deployment.
  • Linux admins should explore PKCS11 (e.g., pkcs11-tool) for HSM integration.
  • Audit Entra Connect regularly:
    Get-ADSyncServerConfiguration | Select-Object TpmProtected, HsmEnabled

Prediction:

  • Microsoft may enforce HSM/vTPM for Entra Connect in future updates.
  • Cloud HSMs (e.g., Azure Key Vault Managed HSM) will become the default recommendation.

Expected Output:

A hardened Entra Connect server with:

  • HSM/vTPM-protected keys
  • Backup fallback script (if needed)
  • Audit logs confirming TPM/HSM status

References:

Reported By: Nathanmcnulty So – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

Join Our Cyber World:

💬 Whatsapp | 💬 Telegram

Related Posts: