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Default Permissions in SQL Server Public Role - permission not granted

In an SQL Server, roles act like security groups that control what users can do within the database environment. The roles designate the access groups determining who can access specific databases and what they can do with the data within those databases. The public role is a special database role that everyone is assigned by default when they become a member of a database. By default, the public role has very limited permissions, often no permissions at all.

The Public Role in the MSDB Database, No Proxies Allowed

SQL Agent proxies are a form of built-in service that allows the schedule and running of automated tasks within SQL Server. These tasks can perform various actions related to database management. The msdb database is a crucial system database in Microsoft SQL Server which primarily serves SQL server agents. These databases store information related to SQL Agent jobs, including their configuration, execution history, vital system tables and data.

Privacy Act 1988 Australia

The response in September 2023 by the Australian government outlined reforms to the existing Privacy Act 1988 from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). These reforms aim to bring Australian privacy laws up to date with the digital age and give citizens more control over their personal information which may affect your businesses starting in 2024.

IIS Host headers - One host, many headers

Most websites do not have their own individual server, instead they share a server along with multiple other websites and applications. All websites hosted from this server will therefore have the same IP address. This can be problematic as the server can’t differentiate which website to serve if many websites are hosted on the same IP address and port. It will serve the default website regardless of the requested domain.

Directory Browsing IIS - keep it behind closed doors

A website directory, also known as a virtual directory functions similarly to a folder on a local machine, however, it exists on the web server’s file system and provides a structured and secure way to organize website content on an IIS server. Website directories act as logical containers for all the files that make up your website, including HTML pages, images, scripts, music, configuration files, and application binaries. Permissions assigned to directories control access to their contents.

Access Credential Manager Trusted Callers and ICAM: Windows Security

Windows credential manager securely stores and manages user credentials such as usernames, passwords, and certificates. These credentials are often used to access various resources, including network shares, websites, and applications, facilitating access to information and managing digital identities.

Generate Security Audits - What you need to know

The Generate Security Audits security policy setting determines which accounts can be used by a process to generate audit records in the Security log. When certain events occur such as unauthorized access to a computer, file and folder access attempts and security policy changes, the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) writes these events to the log. This information in the Security log can be used to trace any unauthorized access to the system.

RPC Endpoint Mapper Authentication and Hardening

This policy setting determines if RPC clients authenticate with the Endpoint Mapper Service when their call includes authentication data. The Endpoint Mapper Service on Windows NT4 (all service packs) is unable to process authentication data provided in this manner. Disabling this policy means RPC clients won’t authenticate with the Endpoint Mapper Service, but they can still communicate with it on Windows NT4 Server. The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

SQL Server Orphaned Users - Detection and Remediation Steps

Orphaned users SQL Server arise when a database user is associated with a login in the master database that no longer exists and should be removed. This situation can happen when the login is removed or when the database is transferred to a different server lacking the corresponding login. The SQL Server logins existing on a server instance can be seen through the sys.server_principals catalog view and the sys.sql_logins compatibility view.