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CTD-000213

Microsoft Entra ID agent identity with no active owner

High
Entra ID
Persistence

Signature Identity

CTD-000213
Threat ID
Version
IOE
Indicator Type

Threat Description

A Microsoft Entra ID agent identity that has no assigned active owner is a vulnerability, because no one is accountable for its configuration or its operation. An owner whose account is disabled can’t sign in, review the agent’s permissions, or respond to an alert about it, so an agent owned only by disabled accounts is effectively unowned. A threat actor exploits this gap for persistence, because the agent keeps running with its original permissions and no active owner notices configuration drift or a change in the agent’s behavior.

Example: A team creates an agent identity for a pilot project and assigns a single owner. That owner later leaves the organization, and their account is disabled but not removed from the agent. The agent retains its original application permissions, and the ownership record looks complete in a routine audit. A threat actor who compromises the agent’s credentials operates under those permissions without triggering review, because no active owner exists to notice the change.

MITRE ATT&CK: Attack Tactics

Persistence

D3FEND: Defend Tactics

D3-ACH (Application Configuration Hardening)

Remediation

In the Microsoft Entra admin center, assign at least one active owner to the agent identity, remove owners whose accounts are disabled, and then confirm that the agent’s permissions still match its intended business function.

  1. Sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center as an Agent ID Administrator, or as an existing owner of the agent identity.
  2. Under Entra ID, select Agents, and then select Agent identities.
  3. Select the affected agent identity.
  4. Under Access, select Owners and sponsors.
  5. Review the listed owners, and check whether each owner’s account is still enabled. A disabled account can’t manage the agent identity, even though it appears in the owner list.
  6. Select Add, and then select Add owner.
  7. Search for and select one or more active users to make responsible for the configuration and operation of the agent identity.
  8. Select Add.
  9. Remove each owner whose account is disabled, and each owner who is no longer responsible for the agent identity.
  10. Confirm that at least one active owner remains assigned.
  11. Review the permissions assigned to the agent identity, and confirm that they match its intended business function.

More information: Microsoft Entra ID documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Microsoft Entra ID agent identity with no active owner mean?

A Microsoft Entra ID agent identity with no active owner lacks a designated administrator responsible for its configuration and operation, making it susceptible to security risks and unauthorized access. This condition allows attackers to assume the agent's original permissions and operate undetected.

A Microsoft Entra ID agent identity with no active owner is considered high severity because it creates an opportunity for attackers to exploit the lack of oversight and assume the agent's original permissions, allowing them to operate undetected. This supports later attacker activity, such as lateral movement and data exfiltration.

Attackers can compromise a Microsoft Entra ID agent identity with no active owner by obtaining its credentials and using them to assume the agent's original permissions, bypassing review and detection mechanisms. This allows them to gain elevated access and privileges, supporting further malicious activity.

Cayosoft Guardian continuously monitors for Microsoft Entra ID agent identity with no active owner and alerts administrators when the condition is detected. This provides visibility into the exposure so security teams can review the finding and determine whether investigation or response is required. Guardian monitors Entra ID for this condition and flags it when detected.

Cayosoft Guardian helps reduce the risk of Microsoft Entra ID agent identity with no active owner by alerting administrators when the condition is detected and providing visibility into the affected accounts, roles, and application permissions. This helps security teams identify exposure more quickly and respond before the issue contributes to a larger security event.

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Classification
Systems
Entra ID
Themes
Enterprise applications
Attack Tactics
Persistence
Defend Tactics
D3-ACH (Application Configuration Hardening)
Indicator Types
IOE
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