Access Credential Manager as a trusted caller
Applies to
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
This article describes the recommended practices, location, values, policy management, and security considerations for the Access Credential Manager as a trusted caller security policy setting.
Reference
The Access Credential Manager as a trusted caller policy setting is used by Credential Manager during backup and restore. No accounts should have this privilege because it's assigned only to the Winlogon service. Saved credentials of users may be compromised if this privilege is given to other entities.
Constant: SeTrustedCredManAccessPrivilege
Possible values
- User-defined list of accounts
- Not defined
Best practices
- Don't modify this policy setting from the default.
Location
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\User Rights Assignment
Default values
The following table shows the default value for the server type or Group Policy Object (GPO).
| Server type or GPO | Default value |
|---|---|
| Default domain policy | Not defined |
| Default domain controller policy | Not defined |
| Stand-alone server default settings | Not defined |
| Domain controller effective default settings | Not defined |
| Member server effective default settings | Not defined |
| Client computer effective default settings | Not defined |
Policy management
This section describes features, tools, and guidance to help you manage this policy.
A restart of the computer isn't required for this policy setting to be effective.
Any change to the user rights assignment for an account becomes effective the next time the owner of the account logs on.
Group Policy
Settings are applied in the following order through a Group Policy Object (GPO), which will overwrite settings on the local computer at the next Group Policy update:
- Local policy settings
- Site policy settings
- Domain policy settings
- OU policy settings
When a local setting is greyed out, it indicates that a GPO currently controls that setting.
Security considerations
This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of countermeasure implementation.
Vulnerability
If an account is given this user right, the user of the account may create an application that calls into Credential Manager and is returned the credentials for another user.
Countermeasure
Don't define the Access Credential Manager as a trusted caller policy setting for any accounts besides Credential Manager.
Potential impact
None. Not defined is the default configuration.