The SQL Server External Scripts Enabled feature must be disabled, unless specifically required and approved.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-271293 | SQLI-22-017700 | SV-271293r1111138_rule | Medium |
| Description |
| SQL Server is capable of providing a wide range of features and services. Some of the default features and services may not be necessary and enabling them could adversely affect the security of the system. The External Scripts Enabled feature allows scripts external to SQL such as files located in an R library to be executed. |
| STIG | Date |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-30 |
Details
| Check Text (C-75336r1111136_chk) |
| To determine if [External Scripts Enabled] is enabled, execute the following command: SELECT name, value, value_in_use FROM sys.configurations WHERE name = 'External Scripts Enabled' If [value_in_use] is a [1], review the system documentation to determine whether the use of [External Scripts Enabled] is approved. If it is not approved, this is a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-75243r1111137_fix) |
| Disable use of or remove any external application executable object definitions that are not approved. To disable the use of [External Scripts Enabled] option, from the query prompt: EXEC SP_CONFIGURE 'External Scripts Enabled', 0; RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE; |