SQL Server must generate audit records when unsuccessful attempts to access security objects occur.

From MS SQL Server 2016 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of SRG-APP-000492-DB-000333

Associated with: CCI-000172

SV-93959r1_rule SQL Server must generate audit records when unsuccessful attempts to access security objects occur.

Vulnerability discussion

Changes to the security configuration must be tracked. This requirement applies to situations where security data is retrieved or modified via data manipulation operations, as opposed to via specialized security functionality. In an SQL environment, types of access include, but are not necessarily limited to: SELECT INSERT UPDATE DELETE EXECUTE To aid in diagnosis, it is necessary to keep track of failed attempts in addition to the successful ones.

Check content

Review the system documentation to determine if SQL Server is required to audit the retrieval of privilege/permission/role membership information. If this is not required, this is not a finding. If the documentation does not exist, this is a finding. Determine if an audit is configured and started by executing the following query. SELECT name AS 'Audit Name', status_desc AS 'Audit Status', audit_file_path AS 'Current Audit File' FROM sys.dm_server_audit_statu If no records are returned, this is a finding. If the auditing the retrieval of privilege/permission/role membership information is required, execute the following query to verify the "SCHEMA_OBJECT_ACCESS_GROUP" is included in the server audit specification. SELECT a.name AS 'AuditName', s.name AS 'SpecName', d.audit_action_name AS 'ActionName', d.audited_result AS 'Result' FROM sys.server_audit_specifications s JOIN sys.server_audits a ON s.audit_guid = a.audit_guid JOIN sys.server_audit_specification_details d ON s.server_specification_id = d.server_specification_id WHERE a.is_state_enabled = 1 AND d.audit_action_name = 'SCHEMA_OBJECT_ACCESS_GROUP' If the SCHEMA_OBJECT_ACCESS_GROUP is not returned in an active audit, this is a finding.

Fix text

Deploy an audit to audit the retrieval of privilege/permission/role membership information. See the supplemental file "SQL 2016 Audit.sql".

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.

Powered by sagemincer