Check ID: sqlserver_unrestricted_inbound_access
Provider: Azure
Service: sqlserver
Severity: CRITICAL
Categories: internet-exposed
Resource type: microsoft.sql/servers

What 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 services and never use 0.0.0.0/0

Remediation

az sql server firewall-rule delete —resource-group <RESOURCE_GROUP> —server <SERVER_NAME> —name <RULE_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 = 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.
← Back to Azure checks