Can I install AD CS on WSUS server?

Tutek 721 Reputation points
2021-02-18T16:53:48.73+00:00

Hi,
I need to install CA in my small environment for LDAPS clients and for some certificates for intranet sites. I have only domain controller server on windows 2012 r2, and WSUS server connected to domain with Windows server 2019. As I read having AD CS on domain controller is not recommended everywhere, my question is if this is any security risk to install it on my WSUS server?

thanks.

Windows for business | Windows Server | Devices and deployment | Configure application groups
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  1. Vadims Podāns 9,186 Reputation points MVP
    2021-02-18T18:54:49.313+00:00

    WSUS assumes IIS server, which is another potential attack vector. If server is compromissed via IIS (to be more precise, via vulnerable or miconfigured web app), then CA is compromised too. However, if you have limited license resources, then you don't have alternatives and have to use only available resources.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-02-19T02:14:28.58+00:00

    Hello @Tutek ,

    Thank you for posting here.

    The best practice we recommend is that a server should play one role or as few roles as possible. Because this reduces possible resource conflicts and exploit vulnerabilities and minimizes patching of other applications that might cause downtime.

    If you do have limited resources, you can install ADCS on WSUS server.

    We can refer to the following similar case.
    WSUS, DC and CA on same physical machine?
    https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/d9635885-3c16-49bd-b010-b2a2de9ceeaa/wsus-dc-and-ca-on-same-physical-machine?forum=winserverwsus

    References
    Step 3: Configure WSUS
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/hh852346(v=ws.11)?redirectedfrom=MSDN#consswsus

    How to setup Microsoft Active Directory Certificate Services
    https://www.virtuallyboring.com/setup-microsoft-active-directory-certificate-services-ad-cs/

    Hope the information above is helpful.

    Should you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

    Best Regards,
    Daisy Zhou

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  3. Tutek 721 Reputation points
    2021-02-21T20:08:44.06+00:00

    If I go with one root ca server (without subordinate) can I just turn it off for security reasons after I configure it and issue all my certificates for intranet sites, ldaps servers etc, then ca server will be useless for two years (validity time of ssl certificate) am I right?


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