Required Windows security permissions for the Certificate Enrollment Web Service (CES)

Assuming one implements Microsoft's Active Directory Administrative Tiering Model, or applies similar hardening measures to one's servers, this will impact the CES components.

The Certificate Enrollment Web Services (Certificate Enrollment Policy Web Service, CEP, and Certificate Enrollment Web Service, CES) enable the automatic request and renewal of certificates from a certification authority via a Web-based interface. This eliminates the need to contact the certification authority directly via Remote Procedure Call (RPC). For a more detailed description, see the article "Certificate request basics via Certificate Enrollment Web Services (CEP, CES)„.

Required permissions

The service account under which the CES service is operated (The identity of the IIS application pool) requires the following rights for proper functioning:

• Access this Computer over the Network (SeNetworkLogonRight) on the certification authority
• Impersonate a Client after Authentication (SeImpersonatePrivilege) on the CES Server
• Log on as a Batch Job (SeBatchLogonRight), if it is a domain account or...
• Log on as a Service (SeServiceLogonRight) if it is a Group Managed Service Account (gMSA).

Related links:

• Installing a Certificate Enrollment Policy Web Service (CEP)
• Configure the Certificate Enrollment Web Service (CES) to work with a Group Managed Service Account (gMSA).

External sources

• User Rights Assignment (Microsoft)