TMA-MSSQL-5.2
Ensure 'Default Trace Enabled' Server Configuration Option is set to '1'
MediumLevel 1Automatedmssql
Description
The default trace provides audit logging of database activity including account creations, privilege elevation and execution of DBCC commands. Both value and value_in_use must equal 1. Default: 1 (on) 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 CASE WHEN CAST(value AS int) = 1 AND CAST(value_in_use AS int) = 1 THEN 'compliant' ELSE 'noncompliant' END FROM sys.configurations WHERE name = 'default trace enabled';"- Expected output
compliant
How it is fixed
Fix method: SQL statement
shell
sqlcmd -b -h -1 -W -Q "SET NOCOUNT ON; EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1; RECONFIGURE; EXEC sp_configure 'default trace enabled', 1; RECONFIGURE; EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 0; RECONFIGURE;"Properties
- Operating systems
- Any
- Tags
- mssqldatabaselogging
- Reference
- CIS Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Benchmark v1.0.0 - 5.2 Ensure 'Default Trace Enabled' Server Configuration Option is set to '1'
Check this host
Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.
shell
tmaegis scan --target mssql