Control: 6.24 Ensure that a custom role is assigned permissions for administering resource locks

Description

Resource locking is a powerful protection mechanism that can prevent inadvertent modification or deletion of resources within Azure subscriptions and resource groups, and it is a recommended NIST configuration.

Given that the resource lock functionality is outside of standard Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), it would be prudent to create a resource lock administrator role to prevent inadvertent unlocking of resources.

Remediation

From Azure Portal

1. In the Azure portal, navigate to a subscription or resource group.
2. Click Access control (IAM).
3. Click + Add.
4. Click Add custom role.
5. In the Custom role name field enter Resource Lock Administrator.
6. In the Description field enter Can Administer Resource Locks.
7. For Baseline permissions select Start from scratch.
8. Click Next.
9. Click Add permissions.
10. In the Search for a permission box, type Microsoft.Authorization/locks.
11. Click the result.
12. Check the box next to Permission.
13. Click Add.
14. Click Review + create.
15. Click Create.
16. Click OK.
17. Click + Add.
18. Click Add role assignment.
19. In the Search by role name, description, permission, or ID box, type Resource Lock Administrator.
20. Select the role.
21. Click Next.
22. Click + Select members.
23. Select appropriate members.
24. Click Select.
25. Click Review + assign.
26. Click Review + assign again.
27. Repeat steps 1-26 for each subscription or resource group requiring remediation.

From PowerShell

Below is a PowerShell definition for a resource lock administrator role created at an Azure Management group level

Import-Module Az.Accounts
Connect-AzAccount

$role = Get-AzRoleDefinition "User Access Administrator"
$role.Id = $null
$role.Name = "Resource Lock Administrator"
$role.Description = "Can Administer Resource Locks"
$role.Actions.Clear()
$role.Actions.Add("Microsoft.Authorization/locks/*")
$role.AssignableScopes.Clear()

* Scope at the Management group level Management group

$role.AssignableScopes.Add("/providers/Microsoft.Management/managementGroups/MG-Name")

New-AzRoleDefinition -Role $role
Get-AzureRmRoleDefinition "Resource Lock Administrator"

Default Value

A role for administering resource locks does not exist by default.