What permissions does a user need to connect to Active Directory to gather user and group information?

To connect to Active Directory and gather user and group information, a user only needs read permissions. This level of access allows the user to query the directory for information such as user attributes, group memberships, and organizational unit details without the ability to make changes to the directory itself.

In Active Directory, different permissions govern what users can do with the data stored within. Read permissions are specifically designed for viewing information. Users can retrieve data needed for access control, reporting, and user management tasks while ensuring the integrity of the directory remains intact, as they cannot modify any entries.

Other permissions, such as write or admin, would grant broader capabilities, including creating, modifying, or deleting entries, which are not required for simply accessing information. Execute permissions are not applicable in this context, as Active Directory operations typically do not involve executing scripts or programs in the same way that those permissions would imply. Therefore, read permissions are the appropriate requirement for accessing user and group information in Active Directory.