What is CredSSP – Credential Security Support Provider?
The Credential Security Support Provider protocol (CredSSP) is a type of Security Support Provider that is implemented by using the Security Support Provider Interface (SSPI). It is an authentication provider and processes authentication requests for other applications.
While establishing a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection, CredSSP enables client computers to delegate user credentials to a target server securely using a Transport Layer Security (TLS) secure channel. This encryption protocol aims to keep data secure during transfer over a network.
What is Security Support Provider – SSP?
A Security Support Provider is a Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) that facilitates or supports security-related operations, including Authentication.
What is a Dynamic-Link Library – DLL?
A Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) is a file type that contains code and data used by multiple programs simultaneously.
What is Security Support Provider Interface – SSPI?
SSPI is a Software Interface.
Distributed programming libraries such as RPC uses SSPI for authenticated communications. One or more software modules provide the actual authentication capabilities.
Each module, known as a Security Support Provider (SSP), implements itself as a Dynamic Link Library (DLL).
An SSP provides one or more security packages.
What are Distributed Programs?
Distributed Program is basically a program Or a part of the program, that gets executed on the machine or node that is different from the machine requesting the code execution.
Both the nodes, i.e. the requestor node and the executor node are connected over the network and communicate via messages.
What is a Software Interface (Programming Interface)?
Software applications use Software interfaces (also known as programming interfaces, which are basically languages, codes and messages) to communicate with each other and with a hardware’s internal system.
Some common examples of Software Interface(s) are as follows:
- Operating System
- Software Drivers: Software Drivers are software components that facilitate communication between a computing device (hardware) and the operating system.
CredSSP (SSP) Summary
CredSSP, Or any Security Support Provider are Dynamic-Link libraries that Distributed Programs use to carry out Security-related operations.
Link to Microsoft Documentation
Here is the link to Microsoft Documentation on CredSSP:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/secauthn/credential-security-support-provider