SQL Server must limit privileges to change software modules, to include stored procedures, functions, and triggers.

From MS SQL Server 2016 Database Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of SRG-APP-000133-DB-000179

Associated with: CCI-001499

SV-93781r1_rule SQL Server must limit privileges to change software modules, to include stored procedures, functions, and triggers.

Vulnerability discussion

If the system were to allow any user to make changes to software libraries, then those changes might be implemented without undergoing the appropriate testing and approvals that are part of a robust change management process.Accordingly, only qualified and authorized individuals shall be allowed to obtain access to information system components for purposes of initiating changes, including upgrades and modifications.Unmanaged changes that occur to the database software libraries or configuration can lead to unauthorized or compromised installations.

Check content

Obtain a listing of users and roles who are authorized to change stored procedures, functions, and triggers from the server documentation. In each user database, execute the following query: SELECT P.type_desc AS principal_type, P.name AS principal_name, O.type_desc, CASE class WHEN 0 THEN DB_NAME() WHEN 1 THEN OBJECT_SCHEMA_NAME(major_id) + '.' + OBJECT_NAME(major_id) WHEN 3 THEN SCHEMA_NAME(major_id) ELSE class_desc + '(' + CAST(major_id AS nvarchar) + ')' END AS securable_name, DP.state_desc, DP.permission_name FROM sys.database_permissions DP JOIN sys.database_principals P ON DP.grantee_principal_id = P.principal_id LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.all_objects O ON O.object_id = DP.major_id AND O.type IN ('TR','TA','P','','RF','PC','IF','FN','TF','U') WHERE DP.type IN ('AL','ALTG') AND DP.class IN (0, 1, 53) SELECT R.name AS role_name, M.type_desc AS principal_type, M.name AS principal_name FROM sys.database_principals R JOIN sys.database_role_members DRM ON R.principal_id = DRM.role_principal_id JOIN sys.database_principals M ON DRM.member_principal_id = M.principal_id WHERE R.name IN ('db ddladmin','db_owner') AND M.name != 'dbo' If any users or role permissions returned are not authorized to modify the specified object or type, this is a finding. If any user or role membership is not authorized, this is a finding.

Fix text

Revoke the ALTER permission from unauthorized users and roles. REVOKE ALTER ON [