DISA STIGS Viewer

The SQL Server User Options feature must be disabled unless specifically required and approved.

Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-274452 SQLI-22-017100 SV-274452r1111123_rule   Medium
Description
SQL Server is capable of providing a wide range of features and services. Some of the features and services, provided by default, may not be necessary, and enabling them could adversely affect system security. The "user options" option specifies global defaults for all users. A list of default query processing options is established for the duration of a user's work session. The "user options" option enables changing the default values of the SET options (if the server's default settings are not appropriate).
STIG Date
Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide 2025-05-30

Details

Check Text (C-78545r1111121_chk)
To determine if "User Options" option is enabled, execute the following query:
EXEC SP_CONFIGURE 'show advanced options', '1';
RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE;
EXEC SP_CONFIGURE 'user options';

If the value of "config_value" is "0", this is not a finding.

If the value of "config_value" is "1", review the system documentation to determine whether the use of "user options" is required and authorized. If it is not authorized, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-78450r1111122_fix)
Disable use of or remove any external application executable object definitions that are not authorized. To disable the use of the "User Options" option, from the query prompt:
sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
GO
RECONFIGURE;
GO
sp_configure 'user options', 0;
GO
RECONFIGURE;
GO