SQL Server must have the Filestream feature disabled if it is unused.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-213846	SQL4-00-016855	SV-213846r395853_rule		Medium

Description
Information systems are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services, provided by default or selected for installation by an administrator, may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations (e.g., key missions, functions). Applications must adhere to the principles of least functionality by providing only essential capabilities. Unused and unnecessary SQL Server components increase the number of available attack vectors. By minimizing the services and applications installed on the system, the number of potential vulnerabilities is reduced. The Filestream feature must be disabled if it is unused.

Description

Information systems are capable of providing a wide variety of functions and services. Some of the functions and services, provided by default or selected for installation by an administrator, may not be necessary to support essential organizational operations (e.g., key missions, functions). Applications must adhere to the principles of least functionality by providing only essential capabilities. Unused and unnecessary SQL Server components increase the number of available attack vectors. By minimizing the services and applications installed on the system, the number of potential vulnerabilities is reduced. The Filestream feature must be disabled if it is unused.

STIG	Date
MS SQL Server 2014 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide	2021-12-10

Details

Check Text ( C-15065r312889_chk )
Determine whether Filestream is required to support the database(s) in this instance of SQL Server. Either, in SQL Server Management Studio, Object Explorer, right-click on the SQL Server instance; select Properties; examine the Filestream section. If Filestream Access Level is "Disabled", this is not a finding. If Filestream Access Level is "Transact-SQL access enabled" or "Full access enabled," and Filestream is not required, this is a finding. If Filestream Access Level is "Full access enabled," but only Transact-SQL access is required, this is a finding. Or, in a query tool, run this code: EXEC sys.sp_configure N'filestream access level'; Review the number in the config_value column. If it is 0, this is not a finding. If config_value is 1 or 2, and Filestream is not required, this is a finding. If config_value is 2, but only Transact-SQL access is required, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-15065r312889_chk )

Determine whether Filestream is required to support the database(s) in this instance of SQL Server.

Either, in SQL Server Management Studio, Object Explorer, right-click on the SQL Server instance; select Properties; examine the Filestream section.

If Filestream Access Level is "Disabled", this is not a finding.

If Filestream Access Level is "Transact-SQL access enabled" or "Full access enabled," and Filestream is not required, this is a finding.

If Filestream Access Level is "Full access enabled," but only Transact-SQL access is required, this is a finding.

Or, in a query tool, run this code:
EXEC sys.sp_configure N'filestream access level';

Review the number in the config_value column. If it is 0, this is not a finding.

If config_value is 1 or 2, and Filestream is not required, this is a finding.

If config_value is 2, but only Transact-SQL access is required, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-15063r312890_fix)
Either, in SQL Server Management Studio, Object Explorer, right-click on the SQL Server instance; select Properties; examine the Filestream section. If Filestream is not required, set Filestream Access Level to "Disabled." If Filestream is required only at the Transact-SQL query level, set Filestream Access Level to "Transact-SQL access enabled." Restart the SQL Server instance. Or, in a query tool, run this script, substituting the correct value for : EXEC sys.sp_configure N'filestream access level', N''; GO RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE; GO The values are: 0 - Disabled 1 - Transact-SQL access enabled 2 - Full access enabled

Fix Text (F-15063r312890_fix)

Either, in SQL Server Management Studio, Object Explorer, right-click on the SQL Server instance; select Properties; examine the Filestream section.

If Filestream is not required, set Filestream Access Level to "Disabled."

If Filestream is required only at the Transact-SQL query level, set Filestream Access Level to "Transact-SQL access enabled."

Restart the SQL Server instance.

Or, in a query tool, run this script, substituting the correct value for :
EXEC sys.sp_configure N'filestream access level', N'';
GO
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE;
GO

The values are:
0 - Disabled
1 - Transact-SQL access enabled
2 - Full access enabled