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CUI

STIG Rule - V-213998

V-213998

SV-213998r961797_rule

Deprecated CAT II

This rule has been deprecated. Deprecated on 2026-04-07. It is no longer included in the current version of this STIG.

SQL Server must generate audit records when successful and unsuccessful attempts to access categorized information (e.g., classification levels/security levels) occur.

From: MS SQL Server 2016 Instance Security Technical Implementation Guide (V3R5)

Description

<VulnDiscussion>Changes in categorized information must be tracked. Without an audit trail, unauthorized access to protected data could go undetected. For detailed information on categorizing information, refer to FIPS Publication 199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, and FIPS Publication 200, Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems. To aid in diagnosis, it is necessary to keep track of failed attempts in addition to the successful ones. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000494-DB-000344</VulnDiscussion><FalsePositives></FalsePositives><FalseNegatives></FalseNegatives><Documentable>false</Documentable><Mitigations></Mitigations><SeverityOverrideGuidance></SeverityOverrideGuidance><PotentialImpacts></PotentialImpacts><ThirdPartyTools></ThirdPartyTools><MitigationControl></MitigationControl><Responsibility></Responsibility><IAControls></IAControls>

Check Procedure

Review the system documentation to determine if SQL Server is required to audit when data classifications are both successfully and unsuccessfully retrieved. If this is not required, this is not a finding. If the documentation does not exist, this is a finding. Determine if an audit is configured and started by executing the following query. SELECT name AS 'Audit Name', status_desc AS 'Audit Status', audit_file_path AS 'Current Audit File' FROM sys.dm_server_audit_status If no records are returned, this is a finding. If the auditing the retrieval of privilege/permission/role membership information is required, execute the following query to verify the "SCHEMA_OBJECT_ACCESS_GROUP" is included in the server audit specification. SELECT a.name AS 'AuditName', s.name AS 'SpecName', d.audit_action_name AS 'ActionName', d.audited_result AS 'Result' FROM sys.server_audit_specifications s JOIN sys.server_audits a ON s.audit_guid = a.audit_guid JOIN sys.server_audit_specification_details d ON s.server_specification_id = d.server_specification_id WHERE a.is_state_enabled = 1 AND d.audit_action_name = 'SCHEMA_OBJECT_ACCESS_GROUP' If the "SCHEMA_OBJECT_ACCESS_GROUP" is not returned in an active audit, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Deploy an audit to audit when data classifications are both successfully and unsuccessfully retrieved. See the supplemental file "SQL 2016 Audit.sql".

CCI Reference

CCI-000172
Created
2026-02-12 15:25:32
Last Updated
2026-02-12 15:25:32
CUI