The audit information produced by Azure SQL Database must be protected from unauthorized deletion.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-255332	ASQL-00-006100	SV-255332r879578_rule		Medium

Description
If audit data were to become compromised, then competent forensic analysis and discovery of the true source of potentially malicious system activity is impossible to achieve. To ensure the veracity of audit data, the information system and/or the application must protect audit information from unauthorized deletion. 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; restricting access; and backing up log data to ensure log data is retained. Applications providing a user interface to audit data will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the data and the corresponding rights the user enjoys in order make access decisions regarding the deletion of audit data. Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, and audit reports) needed to successfully audit information system activity. Deletion of database audit data could mask the theft of, or the unauthorized modification of, sensitive data stored in the database. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000120-DB-000061, SRG-APP-000122-DB-000203, SRG-APP-000123-DB-000204

Description

If audit data were to become compromised, then competent forensic analysis and discovery of the true source of potentially malicious system activity is impossible to achieve. To ensure the veracity of audit data, the information system and/or the application must protect audit information from unauthorized deletion. 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; restricting access; and backing up log data to ensure log data is retained. Applications providing a user interface to audit data will leverage user permissions and roles identifying the user accessing the data and the corresponding rights the user enjoys in order make access decisions regarding the deletion of audit data. Audit information includes all information (e.g., audit records, audit settings, and audit reports) needed to successfully audit information system activity. Deletion of database audit data could mask the theft of, or the unauthorized modification of, sensitive data stored in the database. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000120-DB-000061, SRG-APP-000122-DB-000203, SRG-APP-000123-DB-000204

STIG	Date
Microsoft Azure SQL Database Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-06-12

Details

Check Text ( C-59005r877269_chk )
Obtain the Azure SQL Database audit file location(s) by navigating to the Azure Portal and selecting the Azure SQL Database, then selecting Auditing. Review the storage settings for the audit. Verify that the audit storage has the correct permissions by doing the following: 1. Navigate to the Azure Portal to review the Azure roles and users. 2. Review the Azure Server controlling the Azure SQL Database. 3. Select "Access Control (IAM)". 4. Select "Role assignments" and review the roles assigned to each user. 5. Select "Roles", and then select "View" under the Details column for each role. Any roles or users with Write permissions to the auditing policy must be documented. If not, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-59005r877269_chk )

Obtain the Azure SQL Database audit file location(s) by navigating to the Azure Portal and selecting the Azure SQL Database, then selecting Auditing.

Review the storage settings for the audit.

Verify that the audit storage has the correct permissions by doing the following:
1. Navigate to the Azure Portal to review the Azure roles and users.
2. Review the Azure Server controlling the Azure SQL Database.
3. Select "Access Control (IAM)".
4. Select "Role assignments" and review the roles assigned to each user.
5. Select "Roles", and then select "View" under the Details column for each role.

Any roles or users with Write permissions to the auditing policy must be documented. If not, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-58949r871121_fix)
Modify audit permissions to meet the requirement to protect against unauthorized access. To review the Azure roles and users, navigate to the Azure Portal, and review the Azure Server controlling the Azure SQL Database. 1. Select "Access Control (IAM)". 2. Select "Role assignments" and review the roles assigned to each user. 3. Select "Roles", and then select "View" under the Details column for each role. 4. Remove any undocumented permissions or excessive read permissions to audit storage for user and roles.

Fix Text (F-58949r871121_fix)

Modify audit permissions to meet the requirement to protect against unauthorized access.

To review the Azure roles and users, navigate to the Azure Portal, and review the Azure Server controlling the Azure SQL Database.
1. Select "Access Control (IAM)".
2. Select "Role assignments" and review the roles assigned to each user.
3. Select "Roles", and then select "View" under the Details column for each role.
4. Remove any undocumented permissions or excessive read permissions to audit storage for user and roles.