SQL Server 2012 – Fix ‘Cannot Execute as the Server Principal’ Error with AD Group Login

sql serversql-server-2012

I'm running SQL Server 2012 (I know, ancient…) and trying to work out why users don't have permission to execute some procedures.

I'm logged in as sa, just in case my own id doesn't have sufficient authority to impersonate.

When I try:

EXECUTE AS LOGIN = 'MBA\SAHFOS_GRP'

I get the message:

Cannot execute as the server principal because the principal "MBA\SAHFOS_GRP" does not exist, this type of principal cannot be impersonated, or you do not have permission.

As far as I can tell, it meets the requirements:

select * from sys.server_principals where name = 'MBA\SAHFOS_GRP'

name    principal_id    sid type    type_desc   is_disabled create_date modify_date default_database_name   default_language_name   credential_id   owning_principal_id is_fixed_role
MBA\SAHFOS_GRP  413 0x0105000000000005150000007CEB240DCD7C4166235F636BC8040000  G   WINDOWS_GROUP   0   2017-12-01 10:00:45.050 2017-12-01 10:00:45.057 cpr_prod    us_english  NULL    NULL    0

I'm sa, so surely I have permission. It exists. Which only leaves "cannot be impersonated". Why can't it be impersonated?

Best Answer

This is not supported by design.

Ref: EXECUTE AS Clause (Transact-SQL)

Specifies the statements inside the module execute in the context of the user specified in user_name. Permissions for any objects within the module are verified against user_name. user_name cannot be specified for DDL triggers with server scope or logon triggers. Use login_name instead.

user_name must exist in the current database and must be a singleton account. user_name cannot be a group, role, certificate, key, or built-in account, such as NT AUTHORITY\LocalService, NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService, or NT AUTHORITY\LocalSystem.

There are workarounds you can use.

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