Virtual machines should have a vulnerability assessment solution enabled
Microsoft Defender for Cloud evaluates whether Azure VMs and Arc-enabled machines have a vulnerability assessment solution deployed and reporting healthy coverage across the subscription, covering both Azure VMs and Arc-enabled machines.
Without continuous vulnerability assessment, unpatched flaws persist, enabling: Remote code execution and privilege escalation. Ransomware disrupting availability. Data exfiltration via lateral movement.
What this control checks
VMs must have a vulnerability assessment solution installed across the subscription
Audit evidence
Evidence that deployed resources meet this control: Prowler check defender_auto_provisioning_vulnerabilty_assessments_machines_on (prowler azure --checks defender_auto_provisioning_vulnerabilty_assessments_machines_on); PowerPipe control azure_compliance.control.compute_vm_vulnerability_assessment_solution_enabled.
Framework-specific interpretation
SOC 2: Mapped to CC3.2 (COSO Principle 7: The entity identifies risks to the achievement of its objectives across the entity and analyzes risks...) and CC7.1 (To meet its objectives, the entity uses detection and monitoring procedures to identify (1) changes to configurations...).
NIS2 Directive (EU 2022/2555): Mapped to 3.1.2.d (documents to be used in the course of incident detection and response such as incident response manuals, escalation...), 3.6.2 (The relevant entities shall ensure that post-incident reviews contribute to improving their approach to network and...), 5.1.4.f (an obligation on suppliers and service providers to handle vulnerabilities that present a risk to the security of the...) and 2 more clauses.
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5: Mapped to RA-5 (Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).
NIST Cybersecurity Framework v2.0: Mapped to ID.AM-02 (Inventories of software, services, and systems managed by the organization are maintained.), ID.AM-08 (Systems, hardware, software, services, and data are managed throughout their life cycles.), ID.IM-02 (Improvements are identified from security tests and exercises, including those done in coordination with suppliers and...) and 6 more clauses.
Framework mappings
The clauses this control is mapped to in each framework.
- CC3.2 COSO Principle 7: The entity identifies risks to the achievement of its objectives across the entity and analyzes risks as a basis for determining how the risks should be managed
- CC7.1: To meet its objectives, the entity uses detection and monitoring procedures to identify (1) changes to configurations that result in the introduction of new vulnerabilities, and (2) susceptibilities to newly discovered vulnerabilities.
- 3 Incident handling
- 5 Supply chain security
- 6 Security in network and information systems acquisition, development and maintenance
- RA-5 Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning
- SI-2 Flaw Remediation
NIST Cybersecurity Framework v2.0
- ID.AM-02
- ID.AM-08
- ID.IM-02
- ID.RA-01: Vulnerabilities in assets are identified, validated, and recorded.
- ID.RA-04: Potential impacts and likelihoods of threats exploiting vulnerabilities are identified and recorded.
4 more clauses
- ID.RA-05
- ID.RA-08: Processes for receiving, analyzing, and responding to vulnerability disclosures are established.
- ID.RA-09
- PR.PS-02
- 3.11.2 Scan for vulnerabilities in organizational systems and applications periodically and when new vulnerabilities affecting those systems and applications are identified
- 3.11.3 Remediate vulnerabilities in accordance with risk assessments
- 3.14.1 Identify, report, and correct system flaws in a timely manner
- 9.1.3.2 Ensure that 'Vulnerability assessment for machines' component status is set to 'On'
- 8.1.3.2 Ensure that 'Vulnerability assessment for machines' component status is set to 'On'
RBI Cyber Security Framework for UCBs
- Annex I (6)
- 1 IT Governance
- 3.3 Vulnerability Management
- 4.4.a IT Operations
- OPS-04.01B Policies and instructions with specifications for protection against malware are documented, communicated, and provided in accordance with SP-01 with respect to the following aspects: - Use of system-specific protection mechanisms;- Operating protection programmes on system components...
- OPS-05.01AS If protection programmes are set up with signature and behaviour-based malware detection and removal, these protection programmes are regularly updated with the latest malware definitions when such updates are available, at the highest frequency that the vendor(s) contractually offer(s).
- OPS-05.02B If protection programmes are set up with signature or behaviour-based malware detection and removal, these protection programmes are regularly updated with the latest malware definitions when such updates are available, at least on a daily basis.
- 2.1.16 Ensure that Auto provisioning of 'Vulnerability assessment for machines' is Set to 'On'
- 2.1.15 Ensure that Auto provisioning of 'Vulnerability assessment for machines' is Set to 'On'
- 3.1.3.2 Ensure that 'Vulnerability assessment for machines' component status is set to 'On'
- RA-5 Vulnerability Scanning
- SI-2 Flaw Remediation
- 0709.10m1Organizational.1-10.m 10.06 Technical Vulnerability Management
- 0711.10m2Organizational.23-10.m 10.06 Technical Vulnerability Management
- 6.6 For public-facing web applications, ensure that either one of the requirements are in place
- 11.2.1: Perform quarterly internal vulnerability scans and rescans as needed, until all "high-risk" vulnerabilities (as identified in Requirement 6.1) are resolved. Scans must be performed by qualified personnel.
- Ensure that all system components and software are protected from known vulnerabilities by installing applicable vendor- supplied security patches
- For a sample of system components including all operating system types commonly affected by malicious software, verify that anti-virus software is deployed if applicable anti-virus technology exists
Related controls
- Azure subscriptions should have auto provisioning of the Log Analytics agent enabled
- Virtual machines should have the Log Analytics agent installed for Azure Security Center monitoring
- Azure subscriptions should have Microsoft Defender for Databases enabled
- Synapse workspaces should have vulnerability assessment enabled
- Running container images should have no unresolved vulnerabilities
Tool mappings
Use these identifiers to cross-reference this control across tools, reports, and evidence.
- Compliance.tf Control:
compute_vm_vulnerability_assessment_solution_enabled - Powerpipe Control:
azure_compliance.control.compute_vm_vulnerability_assessment_solution_enabled - Prowler Check:
defender_auto_provisioning_vulnerabilty_assessments_machines_on
Last reviewed: 2026-10-11