How to Securely Enable Double-Hop PowerShell Remoting in AD?
Short answer
D resource-based Kerberos constrained delegation
Question

Key Takeaways
Tests the double-hop remoting problem and the impact of the Protected Users group, trapping candidates who choose CredSSP or unconstrained delegation despite their security flaws and compatibility issues.
Resolves the double-hop authentication challenge in PowerShell remoting by implementing Resource-Based Kerberos Constrained Delegation (RBCD), ensuring secure cross-server resource access while adhering to least privilege principles. Community consensus strongly favors RBCD over CredSSP or unconstrained delegation due to inherent security controls and Protected Users group constraints.
Common mistake: Candidates often select CredSSP (Option B) because it easily bypasses the double-hop limit, but it is explicitly disabled for members of the Protected Users group and poses significant credential theft risks, violating the least privilege requirement.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
Resource-based Kerberos constrained delegation (RBCD) is the correct solution because it securely allows Server2 to impersonate User1 when accessing Backup1, resolving the double-hop authentication failure. Unlike traditional constrained delegation, RBCD configures permissions directly on the target resource, specifying exactly which computer accounts are allowed to delegate to it. This approach strictly follows the principle of least privilege by limiting delegation scope to specific services. Additionally, RBCD is fully compatible with the Protected Users security group, which enforces modern authentication standards.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Unconstrained delegation forwards all service tickets to the delegating server, creating a severe security vulnerability that violates least privilege. CredSSP allows double-hop authentication but is explicitly blocked for users in the Protected Users group and transmits credentials insecurely over the network. PSSessionConfiguration with RunAs changes the local execution context but does not solve the underlying Kerberos delegation requirement across network boundaries.
Community Comment Notes
The community overwhelmingly agrees on Option D, emphasizing that RBCD provides granular control without exposing credentials or requiring broad administrative privileges (Comment 1). Commenters highlight that the Protected Users group restriction is a critical hint that eliminates CredSSP as a viable option (Comment 2). Multiple votes confirm that understanding the double-hop limitation alongside modern AD security policies is essential for passing this exam objective.
Official Reference
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/learn/remoting/ps-remoting-second-hop
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/understand-security-groups#protected-users-group
These links open the official vendor documentation in a new tab.
Exam Strategy
Focus on recognizing double-hop scenarios in PowerShell remoting questions and immediately filter out CredSSP when Protected Users or modern security policies are mentioned. Prioritize resource-based Kerberos constrained delegation for least-privilege, secure cross-server authentication.
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer D. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 3 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 3
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stonwall12 👍 1 Answered DAnswer: D, resource-based Kerberos constrained delegation This scenario requires double-hop authentication from Server1 to Server2 via PowerShell, then from Server2 to Backup1 for resource access. Resource-based Kerberos constrained delegation is the most appropriate solution as it follows the principle of least privilege by configuring delegation at the resource level (Backup1) and minimizes administrative effort without requiring domain admin rights. Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/security/kerberos/kerberos-constrained-delegation-overview
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Krayzr 👍 1 Answered DResource-based Kerberos constrained delegation Resource-based Kerberos constrained delegation allows you to specify which services can delegate to which resources, providing a more secure and controlled delegation compared to unconstrained delegation. This setup ensures that User1 can access the necessary resources without granting excessive permissions
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Ksk08 👍 1Answer: D
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