SQL Server must generate audit records when concurrent logons/connections by the same user from different workstations occur.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-214018	SQL6-D0-015200	SV-214018r879877_rule		Medium

Description
For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to track who logs on to SQL Server. Concurrent connections by the same user from multiple workstations may be valid use of the system; or such connections may be due to improper circumvention of the requirement to use the CAC for authentication; or they may indicate unauthorized account sharing; or they may be because an account has been compromised. (If the fact of multiple, concurrent logons by a given user can be reliably reconstructed from the log entries for other events (logons/connections; voluntary and involuntary disconnections), then it is not mandatory to create additional log entries specifically for this.)

Description

For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to track who logs on to SQL Server. Concurrent connections by the same user from multiple workstations may be valid use of the system; or such connections may be due to improper circumvention of the requirement to use the CAC for authentication; or they may indicate unauthorized account sharing; or they may be because an account has been compromised. (If the fact of multiple, concurrent logons by a given user can be reliably reconstructed from the log entries for other events (logons/connections; voluntary and involuntary disconnections), then it is not mandatory to create additional log entries specifically for this.)

STIG	Date
MS SQL Server 2016 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-01-24

Details

Check Text ( C-15235r313837_chk )
Determine if an audit is configured and started by executing the following query. SELECT name AS 'Audit Name', status_desc AS 'Audit Status', audit_file_path AS 'Current Audit File' FROM sys.dm_server_audit_status If no records are returned, this is a finding. Execute the following query to verify the "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" is included in the server audit specification. SELECT a.name AS 'AuditName', s.name AS 'SpecName', d.audit_action_name AS 'ActionName', d.audited_result AS 'Result' FROM sys.server_audit_specifications s JOIN sys.server_audits a ON s.audit_guid = a.audit_guid JOIN sys.server_audit_specification_details d ON s.server_specification_id = d.server_specification_id WHERE a.is_state_enabled = 1 AND d.audit_action_name = 'SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP' If the "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" is returned in an active audit, this is not a finding. If "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" is not in the active audit, determine whether "Both failed and successful logins" is enabled. In SQL Management Studio: Right-click on the instance >> Select "Properties" >> Select "Security" on the left hand side >> Check the setting for "Login auditing" If "Both failed and successful logins" is not selected, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-15235r313837_chk )

Determine if an audit is configured and started by executing the following query.

SELECT name AS 'Audit Name',
status_desc AS 'Audit Status',
audit_file_path AS 'Current Audit File'
FROM sys.dm_server_audit_status

If no records are returned, this is a finding.

Execute the following query to verify the "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" is included in the server audit specification.

SELECT a.name AS 'AuditName',
s.name AS 'SpecName',
d.audit_action_name AS 'ActionName',
d.audited_result AS 'Result'
FROM sys.server_audit_specifications s
JOIN sys.server_audits a ON s.audit_guid = a.audit_guid
JOIN sys.server_audit_specification_details d ON s.server_specification_id = d.server_specification_id
WHERE a.is_state_enabled = 1 AND d.audit_action_name = 'SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP'

If the "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" is returned in an active audit, this is not a finding.

If "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" is not in the active audit, determine whether "Both failed and successful logins" is enabled.

In SQL Management Studio:
Right-click on the instance >> Select "Properties" >> Select "Security" on the left hand side >> Check the setting for "Login auditing"

If "Both failed and successful logins" is not selected, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-15233r313838_fix)
Add the "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" to the server audit specification. USE [master]; GO ALTER SERVER AUDIT SPECIFICATION STIG_AUDIT_SERVER_SPECIFICATION WITH (STATE = OFF); GO ALTER SERVER AUDIT SPECIFICATION STIG_AUDIT_SERVER_SPECIFICATION ADD (SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP); GO ALTER SERVER AUDIT SPECIFICATION STIG_AUDIT_SERVER_SPECIFICATION WITH (STATE = ON); GO Alternatively, enable "Both failed and successful logins" In SQL Management Studio: Right-click on the instance >> Select "Properties" >> Select "Security" on the left hand side >> Select "Both failed and successful logins" >> Click "OK"

Fix Text (F-15233r313838_fix)

Add the "SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP" to the server audit specification.
USE [master];
GO

ALTER SERVER AUDIT SPECIFICATION STIG_AUDIT_SERVER_SPECIFICATION WITH (STATE = OFF);
GO

ALTER SERVER AUDIT SPECIFICATION STIG_AUDIT_SERVER_SPECIFICATION ADD (SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP);
GO

ALTER SERVER AUDIT SPECIFICATION STIG_AUDIT_SERVER_SPECIFICATION WITH (STATE = ON);
GO

Alternatively, enable "Both failed and successful logins"
In SQL Management Studio:
Right-click on the instance >> Select "Properties" >> Select "Security" on the left hand side >> Select "Both failed and successful logins" >> Click "OK"