cis-azure-foundations-5-1-2

name	cis-azure-foundations-5.1.2
description	Ensure 'multifactor authentication' is 'enabled' for all users
category	cis-azure-foundations
version	5.0.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","azure","identity","mfa"]
cis_id	5.1.2
cis_benchmark	CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark v5.0.0
tech_stack	["azure"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	["cis-azure-foundations-5.1.1","cis-azure-foundations-5.1.3"]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

Ensure 'multifactor authentication' is 'enabled' for all users

Description

[IMPORTANT - Please read the section overview: If your organization pays for Microsoft Entra ID licensing (included in Microsoft 365 E3, E5, F5, or Business Premium, and EM&S E3 or E5 licenses) and CAN use Conditional Access, ignore the recommendations in this section and proceed to the Conditional Access section.]

Enable multifactor authentication for all users.

Note: Since 2024, Azure has been rolling out mandatory multifactor authentication. For more information:

• https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-mandatory-multi-factor-authentication-for-azure-sign-in
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/authentication/concept-mandatory-multifactor-authentication

Rationale

Multifactor authentication requires an individual to present a minimum of two separate forms of authentication before access is granted. Multifactor authentication provides additional assurance that the individual attempting to gain access is who they claim to be. With multifactor authentication, an attacker would need to compromise at least two different authentication mechanisms, increasing the difficulty of compromise and thus reducing the risk.

Impact

Users would require two forms of authentication before any access is granted. Additional administrative time will be required for managing dual forms of authentication when enabling multifactor authentication.

Audit Procedure

Using Azure Portal

1. Go to Microsoft Entra ID.
2. Under Manage, click Users.
3. Click Per-user MFA from the top menu.
4. Ensure that Status is enabled for all users.

Using PowerShell

get-mguser -All | where {$_.StrongAuthenticationMethods.Count -eq 0} | Select-Object -Property UserPrincipalName

If the output contains any UserPrincipalName, then this recommendation is non-compliant.

Expected Result

All users should have MFA enabled. The PowerShell command should return no results (no users without strong authentication methods).

Remediation

Remediate from Azure Portal

1. Go to Microsoft Entra ID.