Retrieve Effective Permissions of an user within SharePoint Sites Using PowerShell

Managing permissions in SharePoint can be challenging, especially when users are granted access through various means such as direct permissions, shared links, SharePoint groups, or M365 groups. To simplify this process, you can use the effectivepermissions endpoint to retrieve and analyze permissions assigned to users at the site, list/library, and item/file/folder levels.

This blog post demonstrates how to use PowerShell to identify and retrieve effective permissions for end users across SharePoint sites.

Why Use the effectivepermissions Endpoint?

The effectivepermissions endpoint provides a comprehensive view of the permissions granted to a user. It consolidates permissions assigned directly or indirectly, making it easier to identify potential security risks or over-permissioned users.

How the Script Works

The PowerShell script leverages the effectivepermissions endpoint to:

• Identify permissions assigned at the site level.
• Retrieve permissions for lists/libraries.
• Drill down to permissions for items/files/folders.

This approach ensures a detailed analysis of user permissions across SharePoint sites.

Example Script

You can find the full script in my GitHub Gist:

Benefits of Using This Script

• Comprehensive Analysis: Retrieve permissions at all levels (site, list/library, item/file).
• Security Auditing: Identify over-permissioned users or potential security risks.
• Automation: Simplify the process of managing and auditing permissions across multiple SharePoint sites.

Conclusion

By using the effectivepermissions endpoint with PowerShell, you can streamline the process of auditing and managing permissions in SharePoint. This script is particularly useful for administrators who need to ensure that permissions are assigned appropriately and securely.

• SharePoint
• PnP
• PowerShell
• Effective Permissions
• Security
• Permissions