SQL Server must generate audit records when unsuccessful attempts to access categorized information (e.g., classification levels/security levels) occur.

From MS SQL Server 2016 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of SRG-APP-000494-DB-000345

Associated with: CCI-000172

SV-93963r1_rule SQL Server must generate audit records when unsuccessful attempts to access categorized information (e.g., classification levels/security levels) occur.

Vulnerability discussion

Changes in categorized information must be tracked. Without an audit trail, unauthorized access to protected data could go undetected. To aid in diagnosis, it is necessary to keep track of failed attempts in addition to the successful ones. For detailed information on categorizing information, refer to FIPS Publication 199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, and FIPS Publication 200, Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems.

Check content

Review the system documentation to determine if SQL Server is required to audit when data classifications are unsuccessfully retrieved. 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_status 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 when data classifications are unsuccessfully retrieved. See the supplemental file "SQL 2016 Audit.sql".

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