Security Descriptor Definition Language (SDDL)
The Security Descriptor Definition Language (SDDL) is a textual format used to represent security descriptors in a human-readable form. Security descriptors are data structures used by Windows to describe the security attributes of securable objects, such as files, folders, registry keys, services, and more.
SDDL provides a standardized way to express the components of a security descriptor, including:
Owner: The security identifier (SID) of the object's owner.
Group: The SID of the object's primary group.
Discretionary Access Control List (DACL): A list of access control entries (ACEs) that define the permissions granted or denied to specific users or groups.
System Access Control List (SACL): A list of ACEs that specify which actions should be audited for the object.
SDDL strings are typically used in scenarios such as:
Setting permissions on securable objects using command-line tools like
icaclsorsecedit.Configuring security settings in Group Policy objects (GPOs).
Displaying security information in event logs or other administrative tools.
Here's a basic example of an SDDL string:
cssCopy codeO:BAG:BAD:(A;;0x12019f;;;BU)This SDDL string represents a security descriptor with the following components:
Owner (O): SID of the owner.
Group (G): SID of the primary group.
DACL (D):
(A;;0x12019f;;;BU)- An ACE granting generic read and generic write permissions (0x12019f) to the built-in Users group (BU).
While SDDL strings may seem cryptic at first glance, they provide a compact and standardized way to represent complex security information, making them useful for managing and configuring security settings in Windows environments.
Last updated