MS SQL Server 2014 Instance STIG Version Comparison

There are 1 differences between versions v2 r1 (July 23, 2021) (the "left" version) and v2 r3 (Oct. 26, 2022) (the "right" version).

Check SQL4-00-013600 was changed between these two versions. Green, underlined text was added, red, struck-out text was removed.

The regular view of the left check and right check may be easier to read.

Title

The audit information produced by SQL Server must be protected from unauthorized read access.

Check Content

Obtain the SQL Server audit file location(s) by running the following SQL script: SELECT DISTINCT LEFT(path, (LEN(path) - CHARINDEX('\',REVERSE(path)) + 1)) AS "Audit Path" FROM sys.traces UNION SELECT log_file_path AS "Audit Path" FROM sys.server_file_audits For each audit, the path column will give the location of the file. Verify that all audit files have the correct permissions by doing the following for each audit file: Navigate file: Navigate to audit folder location(s) using a command prompt or Windows Explorer. Right-click Explorer. Right-click the file/folder, then click Properties. On the Security tab, verify that at most the following permissions are applied: Administrator(read) Users (none) Audit Administrator (Full Control) Auditors group (Read) SQL Server Service SID OR Service Account (Full Control) [Notes 1, 2] SQL Server SQL Agent Service SID OR Service Account, if SQL Server Agent is in use. (Read, Execute, Write) [Notes 1, 2] If any less restrictive permissions are present and not specifically justified and approved in the system security plan, this is a finding. If less restrictive permissions are present and specifically justified and approved in the system security plan, this is not a finding. If Trace is in use, SQL Server creates each trace file with a standard set of permissions, overriding the folder permissions. It grants full control to OWNER RIGHTS, Administrators, and <SQL Server Instance name>. Since this is not configurable, this is not a finding. ----- Note finding. ----- Note 1: It is highly advisable to use a separate account for each service. When installing SQL Server in single-server mode, you the user can opt to have these provisioned for you. them. These automatically-generated accounts are referred to as virtual accounts. Each virtual account has an equivalent Service SID, SID with the same name. The installer also creates an equivalent SQL Server login, also with the same name. Applying folder and file permissions to Service SIDs, rather than to domain accounts or local computer accounts, provides tighter control, control because these permissions are available only to the specific service when it is running, and not in any other context. (However, when using failover clustering, a domain account must be specified at installation, rather than a virtual account.) For more on this topic, see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143504(v=sql.120).aspx. Note 2: Tips for adding a service SID/virtual account to a folder's permission list. 1) list: 1) In Windows Explorer, right-click on the folder and select "Properties." 2) Select the "Security" tab 3) tab. 3) Click "Edit" 4) "Edit". 4) Click "Add" 5) "Add". 5) Click "Locations" 6) "Locations". 6) Select the computer name 7) name. 7) Search for the name 7.a) name. 7.a) SQL Server Service 7.a.i) Type "NT SERVICE\MSSQL" and click "Check Names". (What you have just typed in is the first 16 characters of the name. At least one character must follow "NT SERVICE\"; you will be presented with a list of all matches. If you have typed in the full, correct name, step 7.a.ii is bypassed.) 7.a.ii) Select the "MSSQL$<instance name>" user and click OK 7.b) OK. 7.b) SQL Agent Service 7.b.i) Type "NT SERVICE\SQL" and click "Check Names" 7.b.ii) Names". 7.b.ii) Select the "SQLAgent$<instance name>" user and click OK 8) OK. 8) Click OK 9) OK. 9) Permission like a normal user from here here.

Discussion

If audit data were to become compromised, competent forensic analysis and discovery of the true source of potentially malicious system activity would be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. In addition, access to audit records provides information an attacker could potentially use to his or her advantage. To ensure the veracity of audit data, the information system and/or the application must protect audit information from any and all unauthorized access. This includes read, write, copy, etc. SQL Server and third-party tools are examples of applications that are easily able to view and manipulate audit file data. Additionally, applications with user interfaces to audit records should not allow unfettered manipulation of, or access to, those records via any application. If an application provides access to the audit data, the application becomes accountable for ensuring that audit information is protected from unauthorized access. This requirement can be achieved through multiple methods, which will depend upon system architecture and design. Some commonly employed methods include ensuring log files enjoy the proper file system permissions utilizing file system protections, and limiting log data location. Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, and audit reports) needed to successfully audit information system activity.

Fix

Edit the system security plan to include justification and authorization for any less restrictive permissions that are present and needed. (An example might be where Auditors need "Read & Execute" rather than "Read" alone.) Modify audit file permissions to meet the requirement to protect against unauthorized access. Navigate to audit folder location(s) using a command prompt or Windows Explorer. Right-click on the file, click Properties. On the Security tab, modify the security permissions to: Administrator(read) Users (none) Audit Administrator(Full Control) Auditors group (Read) SQL Server Service SID OR Service Account (Full Control) [Notes 1, 2] SQL Server SQL Agent Service SID OR Service Account, if SQL Server Agent is in use. (Read, Execute, Write) [Notes 1, 2] ----- Note 1: It is highly advisable to use a separate account for each service. When installing SQL Server in single-server mode, you can opt to have these provisioned for you. These automatically-generated accounts are referred to as virtual accounts. Each virtual account has an equivalent Service SID, with the same name. The installer also creates an equivalent SQL Server login, also with the same name. Applying folder and file permissions to Service SIDs, rather than to domain accounts or local computer accounts, provides tighter control, because these permissions are available only to the specific service when it is running, and not in any other context. (However, when using failover clustering, a domain account must be specified at installation, rather than a virtual account.) For more on this topic, see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143504(v=sql.120).aspx. Note 2: Tips for adding a service SID/virtual account to a folder's permission list. 1) In Windows Explorer, right-click on the folder and select "Properties." 2) Select the "Security" tab 3) Click "Edit" 4) Click "Add" 5) Click "Locations" 6) Select the computer name 7) Search for the name 7.a) SQL Server Service 7.a.i) Type "NT SERVICE\MSSQL" and click "Check Names". (What you have just typed in is the first 16 characters of the name. At least one character must follow "NT SERVICE\"; you will be presented with a list of all matches. If you have typed in the full, correct name, step 7.a.ii is bypassed.) 7.a.ii) Select the "MSSQL$<instance name>" user and click OK 7.b) SQL Agent Service 7.b.i) Type "NT SERVICE\SQL" and click "Check Names" 7.b.ii) Select the "SQLAgent$<instance name>" user and click OK 8) Click OK 9) Permission like a normal user from here