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🛡️ Azure Virtual Machine allows public access to MSSQL port🟢

  • Contextual name: 🛡️ Virtual Machine allows public access to MSSQL port🟢
  • ID: /ce/ca/azure/virtual-machine/allows-unrestricted-traffic-to-mssql
  • Tags:
  • Policy Type: COMPLIANCE_POLICY
  • Policy Categories: SECURITY

Stats​

not available

Logic​

Similar Policies​

  • Internal: dec-x-efa79ed1

Similar Internal Rules​

RulePoliciesFlags
✉️ dec-x-efa79ed13

Description​

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Description​

Ensure that Azure Virtual Machines hosting Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) are not configured to allow unrestricted inbound access to the default MSSQL port (1433). Network Security Group (NSG) rules should be reviewed and adjusted to restrict inbound traffic on port 1433 to authorized IP addresses or trusted networks, thereby minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and potential exploitation of the database.

Rational​

Unrestricted access to MSSQL on port 1433 significantly increases the attack surface of the database server. This exposure can lead to security threats such as brute-force attacks, unauthorized data access, and data exfiltration. MSSQL servers are often targeted by malicious actors, particularly when weak authentication or unpatched vulnerabilities exist. By limiting access to trusted sources, you can mitigate these risks and ensure that only authorized systems and users can interact with the database, thereby enhancing its overall security posture.

Impact​

Configuring the NSG to restrict access may require adjustments to application and network configurations to ensure continued access for authorized users and services. It is critical to implement and test these changes carefully to avoid service disruptions while maintaining security.

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Remediation​

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Remediation​

Modify or Remove Insecure NSG Rule​

Review the security rules associated with the relevant Network Security Group (NSG) and determine whether they are required. Take appropriate action based on necessity and scope:

  • If the rule is not required: Remove the rule entirely.

  • If the rule is required but overly permissive: Update the rule to narrowly scope access, restricting the source IP range to only what is strictly necessary.

Azure CLI​

  1. Delete the rule:

    az network nsg rule delete \
      --resource-group {{resource-group-name}} \
      --nsg-name {{nsg-name}} \
      --name {{rule-name}}

  2. Restrict the rule:

    az network nsg rule update \
        --resource-group {{resource-group-name}} \
        --nsg-name {{nsg-name}} \
        --name {{rule-name}} \
        --source-address-prefixes {{trusted-cidr}}

    Replace placeholders with the appropriate values. Use space-separated values for multiple source prefixes or destination ports (e.g., --source-address-prefixes "1.2.3.4/32 5.6.7.8/32").

... see more

policy.yaml​

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Linked Framework Sections​

SectionSub SectionsInternal RulesPoliciesFlagsCompliance
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 36d access management controls —only authorised users, software and hardware are able to access information assets (refer to Attachment B for further guidance);4161no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 36e hardware and software asset controls —appropriate authorisation to prevent security compromises from unauthorised hardware and software assets;4464no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 36f network design — to ensure authorised network traffic flows and to reduce the impact of security compromises;76107no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 45 An understanding of plausible worst case scenarios can help regulated entities identify and implement additional controls to prevent or reduce the impact of such scenarios. One example is malware that infects computers and encrypts data, both on the infected computer and any connected storage, including (corporate) networks and cloud storage. Such attacks reinforce the importance of protecting the backup environment in the event that the production environment is compromised. Common techniques to achieve this include network segmentation, highly restricted and segregated access controls and network traffic flow restrictions.83115no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 52d appropriate segmentation of data, based on sensitivity and access needs;2634no data
💼 APRA CPG 234 → 💼 53 Wholesale access to sensitive data (e.g. contents of customer databases or intellectual property that can be exploited for personal gain) would be highly restricted to reduce the risk exposure to significant data leakage events. Industry experience of actual data leakage incidents include the unauthorised extraction of debit/credit card details, theft of personally identifiable information, loss of unencrypted backup media and the sale/trade or exploitation of customer identity data.2634no data
💼 Cloudaware Framework → 💼 Network Exposure137no data
💼 FedRAMP High Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)18141no data
💼 FedRAMP Moderate Security Controls → 💼 AC-4(21) Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows (M)(H)141no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 → 💼 A.9.1.2 Access to networks and network services2767no data
💼 ISO/IEC 27001:2013 → 💼 A.9.4.1 Information access restriction4992no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.AC-4: Access permissions and authorizations are managed, incorporating the principles of least privilege and separation of duties48127no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.DS-5: Protections against data leaks are implemented89152no data
💼 NIST CSF v1.1 → 💼 PR.PT-3: The principle of least functionality is incorporated by configuring systems to provide only essential capabilities3179no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.AA-05: Access permissions, entitlements, and authorizations are defined in a policy, managed, enforced, and reviewed, and incorporate the principles of least privilege and separation of duties199no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-01: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-at-rest are protected248no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-02: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-transit are protected219no data
💼 NIST CSF v2.0 → 💼 PR.DS-10: The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-use are protected249no data
💼 NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 → 💼 AC-4(21) Information Flow Enforcement _ Physical or Logical Separation of Information Flows83141no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.1 Establish and implement firewall and router configuration standards71110no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.1.6 Documentation of business justification and approval for use of all services, protocols, and ports allowed, including documentation of security features implemented for those protocols considered to be insecure.195no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.2.1 Restrict inbound and outbound traffic to that which is necessary for the cardholder data environment, and specifically deny all other traffic.16111no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3 Prohibit direct public access between the Internet and any system component in the cardholder data environment.712113no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3.1 Implement a DMZ to limit inbound traffic to only system components that provide authorized publicly accessible services, protocols, and ports.10100no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3.2 Limit inbound Internet traffic to IP addresses within the DMZ.100no data
💼 PCI DSS v3.2.1 → 💼 1.3.5 Permit only “established” connections into the network.100no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.105no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.95no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.2.6 Security features are defined and implemented for all services, protocols, and ports that are in use and considered to be insecure, such that the risk is mitigated.95no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.4.1 NSCs are implemented between trusted and untrusted networks.90no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0.1 → 💼 1.4.2 Inbound traffic from untrusted networks to trusted networks is restricted.100no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.1 Configuration standards for NSC rulesets are defined, implemented, maintained.62105no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.5 All services, protocols, and ports allowed are identified, approved, and have a defined business need.4795no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.2.6 Security features are defined and implemented for all services, protocols, and ports that are in use and considered to be insecure, such that the risk is mitigated.2195no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.1 Inbound traffic to the CDE is restricted.31111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.3.2 Outbound traffic from the CDE is restricted.111no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.4.1 NSCs are implemented between trusted and untrusted networks.3190no data
💼 PCI DSS v4.0 → 💼 1.4.2 Inbound traffic from untrusted networks to trusted networks is restricted.31100no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC6.1-7 Restricts Access to Information Assets1867no data
💼 SOC 2 → 💼 CC6.6-1 Restricts Access2162no data
💼 UK Cyber Essentials → 💼 1.2 Prevent access to the administrative interface from the internet85119no data