cis-azure-foundations-5-19

name	cis-azure-foundations-5.19
description	Ensure 'Users can create security groups in Azure portals, API or PowerShell' is set to 'No'
category	cis-azure-foundations
version	5.0.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","azure","identity","security-groups","group-creation","least-privilege"]
cis_id	5.19
cis_benchmark	CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v5.0.0
tech_stack	["azure"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	["cis-azure-foundations-5.18","cis-azure-foundations-5.21"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

Ensure 'Users can create security groups in Azure portals, API or PowerShell' is set to 'No'

Description

Restrict security group creation to administrators only.

Rationale

When creating security groups is enabled, all users in the directory are allowed to create new security groups and add members to those groups. Unless a business requires this day-to-day delegation, security group creation should be restricted to administrators only.

Impact

Enabling this setting could create a number of requests that would need to be managed by an administrator.

Audit Procedure

Using Azure Portal

1. From Azure Home select the Portal Menu
2. Select Microsoft Entra ID
3. Under Manage, select Groups
4. Under Settings, select General
5. Under Security Groups, ensure that Users can create security groups in Azure portals, API or PowerShell is set to No

Expected Result

Users can create security groups in Azure portals, API or PowerShell should be set to No.

Remediation

Using Azure Portal

1. From Azure Home select the Portal Menu
2. Select Microsoft Entra ID
3. Under Manage, select Groups
4. Under Settings, select General
5. Under Security Groups, set Users can create security groups in Azure portals, API or PowerShell to No
6. Click Save

Default Value

By default, Users can create security groups in Azure portals, API or PowerShell is set to Yes.

References

1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/users/groups-self-service-management#making-a-group-available-for-end-user-self-service
2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/mcsb-governance-strategy#gs-6-define-and-implement-identity-and-privileged-access-strategy