Database Configuration Audit

 

A Database Configuration Audit focuses on evaluating the security configurations, access controls, and overall setup of database systems to ensure they are configured securely, comply with best practices, and meet regulatory and organizational requirements. This process helps in identifying misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and areas that can be optimized to enhance security.

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📋 Database Configuration Audit – Table Format

#	Audit Item	Control Description	Audit Method / Tool	Status / Risk	Recommendation
1	Database Authentication	Ensure strong authentication methods (e.g., LDAP, Kerberos, or DB authentication)	Check pg_hba.conf (PostgreSQL), my.cnf (MySQL)	High	Use strong password policies and central auth.
2	Database Encryption	Ensure data is encrypted at rest and in transit	Check SSL configurations, data-at-rest encryption	High	Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) for sensitive data
3	Access Control (RBAC)	Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) with least privilege	Check user roles and permissions (GRANT commands)	High	Review and limit user roles; enforce least privilege
4	Database Patching	Ensure the database system is up-to-date with the latest security patches	Check patch version, release notes	High	Implement an automated patch management process
5	Audit Logging	Ensure audit logging is enabled and logs are securely stored	Check audit_log (MySQL), pg_audit (PostgreSQL)	High	Enable audit logs and integrate them with SIEM systems
6	Backup and Recovery	Verify that regular backups are performed and securely stored	Check backup configurations, my.cnf, pg_hba.conf	Medium	Automate backups and test restoration periodically
7	Database Services	Disable unnecessary database services (e.g., DB links, unused features)	Check service configurations, network interfaces	High	Disable unused services and ports
8	SQL Injection Prevention	Ensure that the database is protected against SQL injection attacks	Check input sanitization, stored procedures, ORM use	High	Use prepared statements and parameterized queries
9	Database User Management	Ensure proper user management, including strong password policies	Check password policy, GRANT commands	Medium	Enforce password complexity and expiration policies
10	Database Configuration Files	Ensure that database configuration files are securely configured	Review my.cnf (MySQL), postgresql.conf (PostgreSQL)	High	Set proper permissions for configuration files
11	Database Network Security	Ensure the database is not exposed to unnecessary networks	Check firewall rules, database port access	High	Restrict DB access to internal networks or via VPN
12	Database Instance Hardening	Harden the database instances by disabling unnecessary features	Check default user accounts, unnecessary features	High	Remove default accounts, disable unnecessary features
13	Database Auditing for Compliance	Ensure the database configuration aligns with regulatory standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI)	Review configuration against compliance checklists	High	Ensure data encryption, logging, and access control for compliance
14	Query Performance and Optimization	Check for inefficient queries, slow execution, and resource consumption	Check EXPLAIN plans, query logs	Medium	Optimize slow queries and ensure indexes are correctly used
15	Database Session Management	Ensure proper management of idle and unauthorized sessions	Check session timeouts, idle session limits	Medium	Enforce session timeouts and monitor active sessions
16	Database Indexing and Partitioning	Ensure optimal indexing and partitioning to enhance query performance	Check index usage, partitioning strategy	Medium	Regularly review indexes and partition large tables
17	Database Security Updates	Ensure security-related database patches are applied	Check update logs, vendor alerts	High	Enable automatic security patching or periodic updates
18	Database Parameter Settings	Ensure that the database parameters are set according to best practices	Check configuration files for secure settings	Medium	Apply secure and performance-optimized configurations
19	Database Security Best Practices	Align database settings with security best practices (e.g., CIS benchmarks)	Review against benchmarks, vendor recommendations	High	Follow CIS, NIST, and vendor-specific security guidelines
20	Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)	Ensure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is used for sensitive DB access	Check authentication mechanisms	High	Implement MFA for all administrative accounts

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🛠 Tools for Database Configuration Audits

Tool	Purpose
CIS-CAT	CIS Benchmark-based configuration audit tool for databases
Nessus	Vulnerability scanner that can detect insecure database configurations
DB Protect	Database activity monitoring (DAM) and auditing
SQLPower	Security audit and performance tuning for SQL databases
AppDetective	Database vulnerability scanning and audit for compliance
Percona Toolkit	Database auditing and optimization for MySQL and MariaDB
pgAudit (PostgreSQL)	Provides session-level auditing for PostgreSQL

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📄 Deliverables from a Database Configuration Audit

Deliverable	Description
Database Configuration Audit Report	Findings from the audit, including vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and risks
Remediation Action Plan	Step-by-step guidance on remediating identified issues
Before/After Configuration Comparison	Changes made to the database configurations, including optimizations
Compliance Mapping Report	Mapping of database configuration to compliance requirements (e.g., PCI, HIPAA)
Vulnerability Assessment Report	Detailed vulnerabilities identified, including those affecting performance, access, and security

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🔐 Compliance Mapping

Standard	Relevant Controls
ISO 27001	A.9 (Access Control), A.12 (Operations Security), A.18 (Compliance)
NIST 800-53	AC-3 (Access Control), SC-12 (System and Communications Protection)
PCI DSS	Req. 2 (Configure firewalls and routers), Req. 10 (Logging and monitoring)
HIPAA	164.312 (Access Control and Transmission Security)
GDPR	Article 32 (Security of processing), Article 25 (Data Protection by Design)

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Would you like a database hardening checklist for a specific database (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle), or help with a tool for automating database security audits?