KB5014754 Certificate based authentication changes on domain controllers Server 2022

Context Breakdown:​

• Windows Server 2022 domain controllers.
• Auth via password-based mechanisms (no cert-based auth).
• Post-migration from Server 2012 R2 as of August/September 2023.
• Servers patched up to January 2025 cumulative updates.
• No StrongCertificateBindingEnforcement registry key present.

What Do KB5013944 and KB5014754 Do?​

1. KB5013944 (May 10, 2022) heavily updates security enforcement aimed at certificate-based authentication within Active Directory environments:
   • Focus on mitigating vulnerabilities in certificate mappings (CVE-2022-26923 and related).
   • Introduces potential failures in authentication if cert configurations are misaligned or incomplete.
2. KB5014754 (June 14, 2022) reinforces this by adding "hardening changes":
   • Tightens the rules around cert-based logins on DCs.
   • Updates default behavior through a phased rollout of stricter certificate mapping enforcement.

Why This Matters (Despite No Cert Use!)​

1. Cumulative Updates:
   • If you're patched to January 2025, KB5013944 and KB5014754-related changes have likely already been rolled in!
   • That absence of the StrongCertificateBindingEnforcement registry key merely indicates the stricter enforcement might be disabled by default (typical behavior in lower-risk or non-cert-using environments).
   • Translation: The environment is likely already compatible, even if you're not actively utilizing certs.
2. Change in Defaults:
   • Starting fall/winter 2022, Windows rolls out hardening settings in multiple phases:
     • Audit: Logs potential auth issues but doesn’t block (Did you ever spot these in event logs? Can check!).
     • Enforcement: Strict adherence to updated cert rules—non-compliant certs will fail auth.
   If cert-related hardening doesn't apply today, it may introduce unexpected behavior later via inadvertent cert reliance in your ecosystem.

Should You Act in a Password-Only Environment?​

1. Immediate Risk Assessment:​

• Using no certificates = No immediate cert-induced authentication drama.
• No StrongCertificateBindingEnforcement registry key = Default non-enforced state, unless manually toggled by Microsoft.

2. Future-proofing:​

• Closing gaps in potential certificate use, intentional or accidental.
• Ensuring infrastructure readiness for future cert-based transitions (e.g., for SSO, VPNs, or cryptographic tightening).

Recommendations:​

1. Leave As-Is (Safe, Low-Impact Option):
   • With no cert-based authentication in use, KB5014754 likely doesn’t concern you today.
   • Keep the StrongCertificateBindingEnforcement registry key absent unless cert-reliant applications enter the chat.
   • Continue standard patching, focusing on cumulative rollups rather than specific KB screw-turning if no breaking issues surface.
2. Investigate Cert Dependencies (Future Hardening-Friendly):
   • Run dcdiag /q or certutil tools to thoroughly check for any lurking certificate tie-ins, e.g.:
     • SSL bindings?
     • LAPS certs?
     • Apps requiring AD-integrated authenticated sessions.
   • Look for anomalies in event logs: Failed certificate mappings/authentication warnings.
   • Review GPO settings enforcing outdated/cracked encryption levels.
3. Set StrongCertificateBindingEnforcement for Peace of Mind (Optional):
   • Even if unused, explicitly controlling cert enforcement avoids “surprise Wednesday morning failures” via cumulative updates:
     • REGISTRY: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Kdc
       
       Code:

              REG_DWORD StrongCertificateBindingEnforcement = 0

       (0 = Disable, 1 = Audit, 2 = Enforce strict cert policies).
   • Keep “enforcement” off but auditable.

TL;DR Answer:​

• Keep patched (cumulative updates already include the groundwork).
• Lightly vet the environment for stealthy cert dependencies.
• Declaring “no cert hardening required” via a registry key ensures predictability during further Windows rollouts.