How to use the command 'Get-Acl' (with examples)

The ‘Get-Acl’ command is used to retrieve the security descriptor for a resource, such as a file or registry key. It is a PowerShell command and can be used to view the access control list (ACL) for a particular resource.

Use case 1: Display the ACL for a specific directory

Code:

Get-Acl path\to\directory

Motivation: Displaying the ACL for a specific directory can be useful when you need to determine the permissions set on the directory and its contents. This information can help you troubleshoot any access-related issues or ensure that the correct security settings are in place.

Explanation:

• ‘Get-Acl’ is the command used to retrieve the ACL information.
• ‘path\to\directory’ is the actual path to the directory for which you want to display the ACL.

Example output:

Path   : path\to\directory
Owner  : <OwnerName>
Group  : <GroupName>
Access : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Allow  FullControl
         BUILTIN\Administrators Allow  FullControl
         BUILTIN\Users Allow  ReadAndExecute, Synchronize
         ...

Use case 2: Get an ACL for a registry key

Code:

Get-Acl -Path HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control | Format-List

Motivation: Getting the ACL for a registry key allows you to view the permissions set on the key, which can provide insights into who has access and what actions they can perform on the key. This information can be crucial for troubleshooting and securing your system.

Explanation:

• ‘Get-Acl’ is the command used to retrieve the ACL information.
• ‘-Path’ is an argument that specifies the path to the registry key.
• ‘HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control’ is the actual path to the registry key for which you want to view the ACL.
• ‘Format-List’ is a command used to display the information in a formatted list.

Example output:

Path   : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
Owner  : <OwnerName>
Group  : <GroupName>
Access : NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM Allow  FullControl
         BUILTIN\Administrators Allow  FullControl
         BUILTIN\Users Allow  ReadAndExecute, Synchronize
         ...

Conclusion:

The ‘Get-Acl’ command is a powerful tool for retrieving the security descriptor and access control list for various resources like directories and registry keys. By using this command, you can gain insights into the permissions set on these resources, troubleshoot access-related issues, and ensure the appropriate security measures are in place.