SQL Server must generate audit records when successful and unsuccessful logons or connection attempts occur.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-271375 | SQLI-22-014800 | SV-271375r1111093_rule | Medium |
| Description |
| For completeness of forensic analysis, it is necessary to track who/what (a user or other principal) logs on to SQL Server. It is also necessary to track failed attempts to log on to SQL Server. While positive identification may not be possible in a case of failed authentication, as much information as possible about the incident must be captured. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000503-DB-000350, SRG-APP-000503-DB-000351, SRG-APP-000506-DB-000353 |
| STIG | Date |
| Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-30 |
Details
| Check Text (C-75418r1111092_chk) |
| Review the SQL configuration to verify that audit records are produced when denied actions occur. To determine if an audit is configured, execute the following script: 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 to verify the events below are included in the server audit specification: SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP FAILED_LOGIN_GROUP 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 IN ( 'SUCCESSFUL_LOGIN_GROUP', 'FAILED_LOGIN_GROUP' ) Order by d.audit_action_name If the identified groups are not returned, this is a finding. Alternatively: 1. In SQL Management Studio, right-click on the instance. 2. Select "Properties". 3. Select "Security" on the left side. 4. Check the setting for "Login auditing". If "Both failed and successful logins" is not selected, this is a finding. |
| Fix Text (F-75325r1109046_fix) |
| Add the required events to the server audit specification to audit denied actions. Refer to the supplemental file "SQL2022Audit.sql" script. Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/security/auditing/sql-server-audit-database-engine? Alternatively, enable "Both failed and successful logins". 1. In SQL Management Studio, right-click on the instance. 2. Select "Properties". 3. Select "Security" on the left side. 4. Select "Both failed and successful logins". 5. Click "OK". |