SQL Server must generate audit records when unsuccessful attempts to modify privileges/permissions occur.

From MS SQL Server 2016 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000172

SV-93971r1_rule SQL Server must generate audit records when unsuccessful attempts to modify privileges/permissions occur.

Vulnerability discussion

Failed attempts to change the permissions, privileges, and roles granted to users and roles must be tracked. Without an audit trail, unauthorized attempts to elevate or restrict privileges could go undetected. In an SQL environment, modifying permissions is typically done via the GRANT, REVOKE, and DENY commands. To aid in diagnosis, it is necessary to keep track of failed attempts in addition to the successful ones.

Check content

Check the SQL Server Audit being used for the STIG compliant audit. If the following events are not included, this is a finding. DATABASE_OBJECT_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_OBJECT_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_ROLE_MEMBER_CHANGE_GROUP SCHEMA_OBJECT_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP SCHEMA_OBJECT_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_OBJECT_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_OBJECT_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_ROLE_MEMBER_CHANGE_GROUP Reference: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc280663.aspx

Fix text

Add the following events to the SQL Server Audit that is being used for the STIG compliant audit. DATABASE_OBJECT_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_OBJECT_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP DATABASE_ROLE_MEMBER_CHANGE_GROUP SCHEMA_OBJECT_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP SCHEMA_OBJECT_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_OBJECT_OWNERSHIP_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_OBJECT_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_PERMISSION_CHANGE_GROUP SERVER_ROLE_MEMBER_CHANGE_GROUP See the supplemental file "SRG SQL Server Audit Definition.sql". Reference: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc280663.aspx

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