Cis Azure Compute 2.2.6

---
name: cis-azure-compute-2.2.6
description: "Ensure 'HTTP version' is set to '2.0' (if in use)"
category: cis-azure-compute
version: "2.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, azure, app-service, deployment-slots, http, http2, protocol-version]
cis_id: "2.2.6"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Microsoft Azure Compute Services Benchmark v2.0.0"
tech_stack: [azure]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# Ensure 'HTTP version' is set to '2.0' (if in use)

## Description

Periodically, newer versions are released for HTTP, either due to security flaws or to include additional functionalities. Using the latest HTTP version allows apps to take advantage of security fixes, if any, and/or new functionalities of the newer version.

## Rationale

Newer versions may contain security enhancements and additional functionalities. Using the latest version is recommended in order to take advantage of enhancements and new capabilities. With each software installation, organizations need to determine if a given update meets their requirements. They must also verify the compatibility and support provided for any additional software against the update revision that is selected.

HTTP 2.0 has additional performance improvements for the head-of-line blocking problem of the old HTTP version, header compression, and request prioritization. HTTP 2.0 no longer supports HTTP 1.1's chunked transfer encoding mechanism, as it provides its own, more efficient mechanisms for data streaming.

## Impact

Most modern browsers support the HTTP/2 protocol over TLS only, while non-encrypted traffic continues to use HTTP/1.1. To ensure that client browsers connect to your app with HTTP/2, either purchase an App Service Certificate for your app's custom domain or bind a third-party certificate.

**NOTE:** HTTP/2 cannot be used in tandem with mutual authentication or client certificates.

## Audit Procedure

### Using Azure Portal

1. Go to `App Services`.
2. Click the name of an app.
3. Under `Deployment`, click `Deployment slots`.
4. Click the name of a deployment slot.
5. Under `Settings`, click `Configuration`.
6. In the `General settings` pane, under `Platform settings`, ensure that `HTTP version` is set to `2.0`.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for each app and deployment slot.

### Using Azure CLI

Run the following command to list apps:

```bash
az webapp list
```

For each app, run the following command to list deployment slots:

```bash
az webapp deployment slot list --resource-group <resource-group-name> --name <app-name>
```

For each deployment slot, run the following command to get the `http20Enabled` setting:

```bash
az resource show --name web --resource-group <resource-group-name> --namespace Microsoft.Web --resource-type config --parent sites/<app-name>/slots/<deployment-slot-name> --query properties.http20Enabled
```

Ensure that `true` is returned.

## Expected Result

The `http20Enabled` property should return `true`.

## Remediation

### Using Azure Portal

1. Go to `App Services`.
2. Click the name of an app.
3. Under `Deployment`, click `Deployment slots`.
4. Click the name of a deployment slot.
5. Under `Settings`, click `Configuration`.
6. In the `General settings` pane, under `Platform settings`, set `HTTP version` to `2.0`.
7. Click `Save`.
8. Click `Continue`.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 for each app and deployment slot requiring remediation.

### Using Azure CLI

For each deployment slot requiring remediation, run the following command to enable `http20Enabled`:

```bash
az resource update --name web --resource-group <resource-group-name> --namespace Microsoft.Web --resource-type config --parent sites/<app-name>/slots/<deployment-slot-name> --set properties.http20Enabled=true
```

## Default Value

By default, `HTTP version` is set to `1.1`.

## References

1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/configure-common#general-settings
2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/mcsb-posture-vulnerability-management#pv-3-define-and-establish-secure-configurations-for-compute-resources
3. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/mcsb-posture-vulnerability-management#pv-6-rapidly-and-automatically-remediate-vulnerabilities
4. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/webapp
5. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/resource

## Profile

Level 1 | Automated