Guides

Avoid using names like 'Admin' for an Azure SQL Server Active Directory Administrator account

Configure one Azure Active Directory account, either an individual or Network Security Group account, as an administrator. It is not necessary to configure an Azure AD administrator, but an Azure AD administrator must be configured if you want to use Azure AD accounts to connect to SQL Databases.It is recommended to avoid using names like 'admin' or 'administrator', which are targeted in brute force dictionary attacks.

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Risk Level: Low
Cloud Entity: SQL Server on Virtual Machines
CloudGuard Rule ID: D9.AZU.IAM.01
Covered by Spectral: Yes
Category: Compute

GSL LOGIC

SQLServer should not have adAdministrators contain-any [ login regexMatch /admin|Admin|administrator|Administrator/ ]

REMEDIATION

From Portal

  1. Go to SQL servers
  2. For each SQL server, click on 'Azure Active Directory' under 'Settings'
  3. Now, Click on Set admin in 'Azure Active Directory Admin'
  4. Select an admin
  5. Click Save

From TF
Set the 'login' argument under 'azurerm_sql_active_directory_administrator' as below:

resource "azurerm_sql_active_directory_administrator" "example" {
	...
	login = Login-NAME
	object_id = PRINCIPAL-ID
	...
}

From Command Line
Run

az sql server ad-admin create --resource-group RESOURCEGROUPNAME --server SERVERNAME --display-name DISPLAYNAME --object-id OBJECTID

References

  1. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/authentication-aad-overview
  2. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/sql/server/ad-admin?view=azure-cli-latest#az-sql-server-ad-admin-create
  3. https://registry.terraform.io/providers/hashicorp/azurerm/latest/docs/resources/sql_active_directory_administrator

SQL Server on Virtual Machines

SQL Server on Azure virtual machines enables you to use full versions of SQL Server in the Cloud without having to manage any on-premises hardware. SQL Server VMs also simplify licensing costs when you pay as you go.

Azure virtual machines run in many different geographic regions around the world. They also offer a variety of machine sizes. The virtual machine image gallery allows you to create a SQL Server VM with the right version, edition, and operating system. This makes virtual machines a good option for a many different SQL Server workloads.

Compliance Frameworks

  • Azure CSA CCM v.3.0.1
  • Azure CloudGuard Best Practices
  • Azure CloudGuard SOC2 based on AICPA TSC 2017
  • Azure GDPR Readiness
  • Azure HIPAA
  • Azure ISO 27001:2013
  • Azure ITSG-33
  • Azure LGPD regulation
  • Azure NIST 800-171
  • Azure NIST 800-53 Rev 4
  • Azure NIST 800-53 Rev 5
  • Azure NIST CSF v1.1
  • Azure New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM) v.3.4
  • Azure PCI-DSS 3.2
  • CloudGuard Azure All Rules Ruleset

Updated about 1 year ago