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Implementing LAPS in a Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Environment

Tool for Handling Local Passwords on Corporate Networks: The Local Administrator Password Solution can be useful for managing local passwords in your corporate network. However, because of the transient nature of certain environments like Citrix VDI, this tool could potentially expose a...

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Utilizing LAPS within Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
Utilizing LAPS within Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Implementing LAPS in a Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Environment

In a Citrix Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environment, the Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) can become a security vulnerability due to the non-persistent nature of the Virtual Delivery Agents (VDAs). To address this issue, a script named has been created.

Prerequisites

To effectively deploy and run the script, you need to:

  • Use non-persistent VDAs in your Citrix environment.
  • Ensure PowerShell remoting is enabled and properly configured if you plan to execute the script remotely.
  • The script requires administrative privileges on the VDA machines to reset or expire local admin passwords.
  • Make sure the Citrix VDAs are configured to allow execution of PowerShell scripts and that the execution policy permits running the script (e.g., RemoteSigned or Unrestricted).

Deployment Approach

To enforce randomized local admin passwords with expiration in your VDI environment, consider the following steps:

  1. On shutdown of non-persistent VDAs, run the script to set the local administrator password as expired. This forces the password to be reset upon next startup, enhancing security and compliance.
  2. Incorporate the script invocation into your VDA shutdown routine or the image update cycle for VDAs.
  3. Use Group Policy, Citrix Studio PowerShell SDK, or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to push and trigger the script execution across all VDAs.

Remote Execution Methods

The script's remote execution does not require physical access to each Citrix server. Here are some methods for remote execution:

  • Use PowerShell Remoting (WinRM) to run the script remotely on target VDA machines.
  • Alternatively, use Citrix PowerShell SDK, which may help automate tasks within the Citrix environment including script deployment.
  • Remote Desktop tools or management solutions like Devolutions Remote Desktop Manager can be used for manual or scheduled execution if needed.

Key Points

  • The script requires the proper version of RSAT to be installed on each Citrix server for remote execution.
  • The script's remote execution commands are available in the documentation for convenience.
  • The script's logging functionality is designed to be compatible with CMTrace.exe for easier troubleshooting.
  • It is recommended to use the local start-up procedure for the script on the Citrix machine.

This strategy aligns with Citrix's own guidance for managing local admin passwords with LAPS in non-persistent VDI setups, where the password is set to expire at shutdown so a fresh one is generated at next logon.

While detailed official documentation for specifically is limited in the search results, the general best practice in Citrix VDI environments is to execute such scripts at shutdown triggers to enforce randomized local admin passwords with expiration. PowerShell remoting or Citrix management tools are standard methods for remote script deployment and execution.

If your environment has distinct remote execution tools or orchestration platforms, integrating the script deployment there is advisable. Also verify all network and policy settings allow remote PowerShell execution on the VDAs.

References:

  • Set password expiration on non-persistent VDAs on shutdown to force reset at next start.
  • Use of PowerShell Remoting and Citrix SDK for remote management.
  • The script uses the Set-ADComputer command, requiring RSAT to be on the Citrix server.
  • It is recommended to use the local start-up procedure for the script on the Citrix machine.

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