Cis Azure Foundations 8.1.3.4

---
name: cis-azure-foundations-8.1.3.4
description: "Ensure 'Agentless scanning for machines' component status is set to 'On'"
category: cis-azure-foundations
version: "5.0.0"
author: cyberstrike-official
tags: [cis, azure, security, defender, servers, agentless-scanning]
cis_id: "8.1.3.4"
cis_benchmark: "CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v5.0.0"
tech_stack: [azure]
cwe_ids: []
chains_with: []
prerequisites: []
severity_boost: {}
---

# 8.1.3.4 Ensure that 'Agentless scanning for machines' component status is set to 'On' (Manual)

## Description

Using disk snapshots, the agentless scanner scans for installed software, vulnerabilities, and plain text secrets.

## Rationale

The Microsoft Defender for Cloud agentless machine scanner provides threat detection, vulnerability detection, and discovery of sensitive information.

## Impact

Agentless scanning for machines requires licensing and is included in Defender CSPM and Defender for Servers plan 2.

## Audit Procedure

**From Azure Portal:**

1. From the Azure Portal `Home` page, select `Microsoft Defender for Cloud`.
2. Under `Management` select `Environment Settings`.
3. Select a subscription.
4. Under `Settings` > `Defender Plans`, click `Settings & monitoring`.
5. Under the Component column, locate the row for `Agentless scanning for machines`.
6. Ensure that `On` is selected.

Repeat the above for any additional subscriptions.

## Expected Result

Agentless scanning for machines should be set to `On`.

## Remediation

**From Azure Portal:**

1. From the Azure Portal `Home` page, select `Microsoft Defender for Cloud`.
2. Under `Management` select `Environment Settings`.
3. Select a subscription.
4. Under `Settings` > `Defender Plans`, click `Settings & monitoring`.
5. Under the Component column, locate the row for `Agentless scanning for machines`.
6. Select `On`.
7. Click `Continue` in the top left.

Repeat the above for any additional subscriptions.

## Default Value

By default, Agentless scanning for machines is `off`.

## References

1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/concept-agentless-data-collection
2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/mcsb-incident-response#ir-2-preparation---setup-incident-notification
3. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/enable-agentless-scanning-vms

## Profile

- Level 2