Check ID:
Provider: Azure
Service:
Severity: CRITICAL
Categories:
Resource type:
sqlserver_unrestricted_inbound_accessProvider: Azure
Service:
sqlserverSeverity: CRITICAL
Categories:
internet-exposedResource type:
microsoft.sql/serversWhat this check verifies
Azure SQL Server server-level firewall rules are evaluated for an entry that allows the entire IPv4 space (0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255).
The finding identifies presence of this Internet-wide rule on the server firewall.
Risk
An Internet-wide rule permits unsolicited access from any host, enabling mass scanning, brute force, and exploitation of weak configurations.- Confidentiality: unauthorized data access/exfiltration
- Integrity: malicious data/DDL changes
- Availability: resource abuse or DoS via excessive connections
Recommendation
Remove the all-open rule and enforce least privilege.- Restrict access to specific IPs/ranges
- Prefer private endpoints or VNet rules to avoid Internet exposure
- Layer controls (NSGs, Azure Firewall)
- Avoid broad exceptions like
Allow Azure servicesand never use0.0.0.0/0
Remediation
- CLI
- Terraform
- Native IaC
- Dashboard steps
az sql server firewall-rule delete —resource-group <RESOURCE_GROUP> —server <SERVER_NAME> —name <RULE_NAME>
References
- https://www.trendmicro.com/cloudoneconformity/knowledge-base/azure/Sql/unrestricted-sql-database-access.html
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/vnet-service-endpoint-rule-overview?view=azuresql
Where this check fires
This check runs on every scheduled scan against your Azure account. Findings appear at Cloud Security → Findings filterable byCheck ID = sqlserver_unrestricted_inbound_access. 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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