Check ID: app_register_with_identity
Provider: Azure
Service: app
Severity: MEDIUM
Categories: identity-access
Resource type: microsoft.web/sites

What this check verifies

Azure App Service web apps are configured with a managed identity (identity: SystemAssigned or UserAssigned) for token-based access to Azure resources without embedded credentials

Risk

Missing managed identity drives reliance on stored secrets. Leaked credentials enable unauthorized access to SQL, Storage, or Key Vault, leading to data exfiltration, tampering, and lateral movement. Secret expiry or revocation can break connectivity, degrading availability.

Recommendation

Enable a managed identity and use it for all service-to-service access. Apply least privilege on target resources and eliminate secrets from code and app settings. Remove legacy credentials, rotate residual keys, and monitor usage for defense in depth. Use system-assigned per app; user-assigned for reuse or separation.

Remediation

az webapp identity assign —resource-group <RESOURCE_GROUP_NAME> —name <APP_NAME>

References

Where this check fires

This check runs on every scheduled scan against your Azure account. Findings appear at Cloud Security → Findings filterable by Check ID = app_register_with_identity. To re-evaluate after a fix, hit Run now on the account’s schedule under Cloud Security → Schedules — the next scan re-checks this control and marks the finding fixed or keeps it persistent.
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