Which statement is true regarding pass-through authentication in OpenLDAP?

Pass-through authentication in OpenLDAP allows for the use of external authentication mechanisms rather than relying solely on the LDAP server to validate user credentials. The correct statement about pass-through authentication is that it works with plaintext passwords. This means that when a user attempts to authenticate, their plaintext password can be directly checked against an external source, such as a Kerberos or another authentication service.

The reason why this is accurate is that pass-through authentication often involves passing the user's credentials, typically in plaintext, directly to another service that performs the validation. This method allows for a flexible security model where OpenLDAP does not store or manage passwords directly, enabling organizations to integrate with existing security implementations.

The other statements provide incorrect context or configurations related to how pass-through authentication is implemented. While configuration settings in slapd.conf can certainly influence how OpenLDAP functions, the mechanism of pass-through authentication specifically allows for alternate handling rather than setting a blanket rule for all users. Similarly, while SASL can be used in conjunction with OpenLDAP, it is not the exclusive indicator used in defining user passwords or pass-through authentication. Lastly, not all users are required to use Kerberos for pass-through authentication, as other mechanisms can also be implemented depending on the OpenLDAP configuration and organizational needs.