Ensure 'Hide Instance' option is set to 'Yes' for Production SQL Server instances

How it is checked

Audit method: SQL query

sqlcmd -b -h -1 -W -Q "SET NOCOUNT ON; DECLARE @v int; EXEC master.sys.xp_instance_regread @rootkey = N'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE', @key = N'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQLServer\SuperSocketNetLib', @value_name = N'HideInstance', @value = @v OUTPUT; SELECT ISNULL(@v, 0);"

Expected output

1

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

Perform either the GUI or T-SQL method shown: GUI Method 1. In SQL Server 2022 Configuration Manager, expand SQL Server Network Configuration, right-click Protocols for <InstanceName>, and then select Properties. 2. On the Flags tab, in the Hide Instance box, select Yes, and then click OK to close the dialog box. The change takes effect immediately for new connections. T-SQL Method Execute the following T-SQL to remediate: EXEC master.sys.xp_instance_regwrite @rootkey = N'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE', @key = N'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQLServer\SuperSocketNetLib', @value_name = N'HideInstance', @type = N'REG_DWORD', @value = 1;

Check this host

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

tmaegis scan --target mssql