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🛡️ Azure Storage File Shares SMB Channel Encryption is not set to AES-256-GCM or higher🟢

  • Contextual name: 🛡️ File Shares SMB Channel Encryption is not set to AES-256-GCM or higher🟢
  • ID: /ce/ca/azure/storage/smb-channel-encryption
  • Tags:
  • Policy Type: BEST_PRACTICE
  • Policy Categories: SECURITY

Stats​

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Logic​

Description​

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Description​

Implement SMB channel encryption with AES-256-GCM for SMB file shares to ensure data confidentiality and integrity in transit. This method offers strong protection against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, safeguarding sensitive information.

Rationale​

AES-256-GCM encryption enhances the security of data transmitted over SMB channels by safeguarding it from unauthorized interception and tampering.

Impact​

Using the AES-256-GCM SMB channel encryption may impact client compatibility.

Audit​

This policy flags an Azure Storage File as INCOMPLIANT if Protocol Settings Channel Encryption is empty or includes AES-128-CCM or AES-128-GCM.

Default Value​

By default, the following SMB channel encryption algorithms are allowed:

  • AES-128-CCM
  • AES-128-GCM
  • AES-256-GCM

References​

  1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/well-architected/service-guides/azure-files#recommendations-for-smb-file-shares
  2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/files/files-smb-protocol?tabs=azure-portal#smb-security-settings

... see more

Remediation​

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Remediation​

From Azure Portal​

  1. Go to Storage accounts.
  2. Click the name of a storage account.
  3. Under Data storage, click File shares.
  4. Under File share settings, click the link next to Security.
  5. If Profile is set to Maximum compatibility, click the drop-down menu and select Maximum security or Custom.
  6. If selecting Custom, under SMB channel encryption, uncheck the boxes next to AES-128-CCM and AES-128-GCM.
  7. Click Save.
  8. Repeat steps 1-7 for each storage account requiring remediation.

From Azure CLI​

For each storage account requiring remediation, run the following command to set the SMB channel encryption:

az storage account file-service-properties update \
--resource-group {{resource-group-name}} \
--account-name {{storage-account-name}} \
--channel-encryption AES-256-GCM

From PowerShell​

For each storage account requiring remediation, run the following command to set the SMB channel encryption:

Update-AzStorageFileServiceProperty `
-ResourceGroupName {{resource-group-name}} `

... [see more](remediation.md)

policy.yaml​

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Linked Framework Sections​

SectionSub SectionsInternal RulesPoliciesFlagsCompliance
💼 CIS Azure v5.0.0 → 💼 9.1.3 Ensure 'SMB channel encryption' is set to 'AES-256-GCM' or higher for SMB file shares (Automated)1no data
💼 CIS Azure v6.0.0 → 💼 9.1.3 Ensure 'SMB channel encryption' is Set to 'AES-256-GCM' or Higher for SMB file shares (Automated)1no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Data Encryption65no data