Ensure SQL Authentication is not used in contained databases

MediumLevel 1Automatedmssql

Description

Contained databases do not enforce password complexity rules for SQL Authenticated users. The absence of an enforced password policy may increase the likelihood of a weak credential being established in a contained database.

How it is checked

Audit method: SQL query

sql_query

sqlcmd -b -h -1 -W -Q "SET NOCOUNT ON; DECLARE @n int = 0, @k int, @db sysname, @s nvarchar(max); DECLARE c CURSOR LOCAL FAST_FORWARD FOR SELECT name FROM sys.databases WHERE state = 0 AND HAS_DBACCESS(name) = 1 AND containment <> 0; OPEN c; FETCH NEXT FROM c INTO @db; WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0 BEGIN SET @s = N'USE ' + QUOTENAME(@db) + N'; SELECT @k = COUNT(*) FROM (SELECT name FROM sys.database_principals WHERE name NOT IN (''dbo'',''Information_Schema'',''sys'',''guest'') AND type IN (''U'',''S'',''G'') AND authentication_type = 2) AS x;'; EXEC sp_executesql @s, N'@k int OUTPUT', @k = @k OUTPUT; SET @n = @n + @k; FETCH NEXT FROM c INTO @db; END; CLOSE c; DEALLOCATE c; SELECT @n;"

Expected output: 0

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Leverage Windows Authenticated users in contained databases.

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: authmssqlsqlserver-2022
Reference: CIS Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Benchmark v1.3.0 - 3.4 Ensure SQL Authentication is not used in contained databases

Check this host

Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.

shell

tmaegis scan --target mssql