TMA-MSSQL-2.15

Ensure 'AUTO_CLOSE' is set to 'OFF' on contained databases

LowLevel 1Automatedmssql

Description

AUTO_CLOSE determines if a given database is closed or not after a connection terminates. If enabled, subsequent connections to the given database will require the database to be reopened and relevant procedure caches to be rebuilt. Default: By default, the database property AUTO_CLOSE is OFF which is equivalent to is_auto_close_on = 0. Runs one sqlcmd query with its defaults (Windows authentication to the local default instance); set SQLCMDSERVER, SQLCMDUSER and SQLCMDPASSWORD for another instance or SQL authentication. Needs VIEW SERVER STATE / sysadmin-level read access.

How it is checked

Audit method: SQL query

sql_query

sqlcmd -b -h -1 -W -Q "SET NOCOUNT ON; SELECT COUNT(*) FROM sys.databases WHERE containment <> 0 AND is_auto_close_on = 1;"

Expected output: 0

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Execute the following T-SQL, replacing <database_name> with each database name found by the Audit Procedure: ALTER DATABASE <database_name> SET AUTO_CLOSE OFF;

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: mssqldatabaseavailability
Reference: CIS Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Benchmark v1.0.0 - 2.15 Ensure 'AUTO_CLOSE' is set to 'OFF' on 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