# Cis Azure Compute 2.2.11

> Ensure incoming client certificates are enabled and required (if in use)

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-azure-compute-2-2-11` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-azure-compute-2-2-11`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-azure-compute-2-2-11/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-azure-compute-2-2-11

---


# Ensure incoming client certificates are enabled and required (if in use)

## Description

Client certificates allow for the deployment slot to request a certificate for incoming requests. Only clients that have a valid certificate will be able to reach the deployment slot.

## Rationale

The TLS mutual authentication technique in enterprise environments ensures the authenticity of clients to the server. If incoming client certificates are enabled, then only an authenticated client with valid certificates can access the deployment slot.

## Impact

Utilizing and maintaining client certificates will require additional work to obtain and manage replacement and key rotation.

**NOTE:** This recommendation cannot be implemented if following the recommendation titled "Ensure 'HTTP Version' is set to '2.0' (if in use)." This recommendation should only be considered for scenarios where HTTP versions prior to 2.0 are required for a deployment slot, and mutual certificate authentication is desired for validating clients.

## Audit Procedure

### Using Azure Portal

1. Go to `App Services`.
2. Click the name of an app.
3. Under `Deployment`, click `Deployment slots`.
4. Click the name of a deployment slot.
5. Under `Settings`, click `Configuration`.
6. In the `General settings` pane, under `Incoming client certificates`, ensure that `Client certificate mode` is set to `Required`.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for each app and deployment slot.

### Using Azure CLI

Run the following command to list apps:

```bash
az webapp list
```

For each app, run the following command to list deployment slots:

```bash
az webapp deployment slot list --resource-group <resource-group-name> --name <app-name>
```

For each deployment slot, ensure that `clientCertEnabled` is set to `true`, and `clientCertMode` is set to `Required`.

## Expected Result

The `clientCertEnabled` property should be `true` and `clientCertMode` should be `Required`.

## Remediation

### Using Azure Portal

1. Go to `App Services`.
2. Click the name of an app.
3. Under `Deployment`, click `Deployment slots`.
4. Click the name of a deployment slot.
5. Under `Settings`, click `Configuration`.
6. In the `General settings` pane, under `Incoming client certificates`, set `Client certificate mode` to `Required`.
7. Click `Save`.
8. Click `Continue`.
9. Repeat steps 1-8 for each app and deployment slot requiring remediation.

### Using Azure CLI

For each deployment slot requiring remediation, run the following command to enable and require incoming client certificates:

```bash
az resource update --resource-group <resource-group-name> --name <app-name>/slots/<deployment-slot-name> --resource-type "Microsoft.Web/sites" --set properties.clientCertEnabled=true --set properties.clientCertMode=Required
```

## Default Value

By default, incoming client certificates are disabled.

## References

1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v3-identity-management#im-4-authenticate-server-and-services
2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/app-service/app-service-web-configure-tls-mutual-auth
3. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/webapp
4. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/resource

## Profile

Level 2 | Automated