SQL Server must enforce authorized access to all PKI private keys stored/utilized by SQL Server.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-213968	SQL6-D0-008400	SV-213968r879613_rule		High

Description
The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates. PKI certificate-based authentication is performed by requiring the certificate holder to cryptographically prove possession of the corresponding private key. If the private key is stolen, an attacker can use the private key(s) to impersonate the certificate holder. In cases where SQL Server-stored private keys are used to authenticate SQL Server to the system’s clients, loss of the corresponding private keys would allow an attacker to successfully perform undetected man in the middle attacks against SQL Server system and its clients. Both the holder of a digital certificate and the issuing authority must take careful measures to protect the corresponding private key. Private keys should always be generated and protected in FIPS 140-2 or FIPS 140-3 validated cryptographic modules. All access to the private key(s) of SQL Server must be restricted to authorized and authenticated users. If unauthorized users have access to one or more of SQL Server's private keys, an attacker could gain access to the key(s) and use them to impersonate the database on the network or otherwise perform unauthorized actions.

Description

The DoD standard for authentication is DoD-approved PKI certificates. PKI certificate-based authentication is performed by requiring the certificate holder to cryptographically prove possession of the corresponding private key. If the private key is stolen, an attacker can use the private key(s) to impersonate the certificate holder. In cases where SQL Server-stored private keys are used to authenticate SQL Server to the system’s clients, loss of the corresponding private keys would allow an attacker to successfully perform undetected man in the middle attacks against SQL Server system and its clients. Both the holder of a digital certificate and the issuing authority must take careful measures to protect the corresponding private key. Private keys should always be generated and protected in FIPS 140-2 or FIPS 140-3 validated cryptographic modules. All access to the private key(s) of SQL Server must be restricted to authorized and authenticated users. If unauthorized users have access to one or more of SQL Server's private keys, an attacker could gain access to the key(s) and use them to impersonate the database on the network or otherwise perform unauthorized actions.

STIG	Date
MS SQL Server 2016 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-06-01

Details

Check Text ( C-15185r863335_chk )
Review system configuration to determine whether FIPS compliant support has been enabled. Start >> Control Panel >> Administrative Tools >> Local Security Policy >> Local Policies >> Security Options Ensure that "System cryptography: Use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing" is enabled. If "System cryptography: Use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing" is not enabled, this is a finding. For more information, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3141890.

Check Text ( C-15185r863335_chk )

Review system configuration to determine whether FIPS compliant support has been enabled.

Start >> Control Panel >> Administrative Tools >> Local Security Policy >> Local Policies >> Security Options

Ensure that "System cryptography: Use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing" is enabled.

If "System cryptography: Use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing" is not enabled, this is a finding.

For more information, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3141890.

Fix Text (F-15183r863336_fix)
Enable use of FIPS-compliant algorithms. Start >> Control Panel >> Administrative Tools >> Local Security Policy >> Local Policies >> Security Options Double-click "System cryptography: Use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing." Click Enabled >> Apply.