Cis Azure Foundations 2.1.11

Ensure private endpoints are used to access Azure Databricks workspaces

Description

Use private endpoints for Azure Databricks workspaces to allow clients and services to securely access data located over a network via an encrypted Private Link. To do this, the private endpoint uses an IP address from the VNet for each service. Network traffic between disparate services securely traverses encrypted over the VNet. This VNet can also link addressing space, extending your network and accessing resources on it. Similarly, it can be a tunnel through public networks to connect remote infrastructures together. This creates further security through segmenting network traffic and preventing outside sources from accessing it.

Rationale

Using private endpoints for Azure Databricks workspaces ensures that all communication between clients, services, and data sources occurs over a secure, private IP space within an Azure Virtual Network (VNet). This approach eliminates exposure to the public internet, significantly reducing the attack surface and aligning with Zero Trust principles. Additionally, integrating Databricks with a VNet enables network segmentation, fine-grained access control, and hybrid connectivity through VNet peering or VPN/ExpressRoute.

Impact

If an Azure Virtual Network is not implemented correctly, this may result in the loss of critical network traffic.

Private endpoints are charged per hour of use. Refer to https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/private-link/ and https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/calculator/ to estimate potential costs.

Before a private endpoint can be configured, Azure Databricks workspaces:

• Must be deployed in a customer-managed virtual network (VNet injection) -- refer to the recommendation Ensure that Azure Databricks is deployed in a customer-managed virtual network (VNet).
• Must have secure cluster connectivity enabled -- refer to the recommendation Ensure 'Enable No Public IP' is set to 'Yes'.
• Must be on the Premium pricing tier.

Ensure the requirements and concepts are considered carefully before applying this recommendation. Refer to https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/databricks/security/network/classic/private-link for more information.

Audit Procedure

Audit from Azure Portal

1. Go to Azure Databricks.
2. Click the name of a workspace.
3. Under Settings, click Networking.
4. Click Private endpoint connections.
5. Ensure a private endpoint connection exists with a connection state of Approved.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 for each workspace.

Audit from Azure CLI

Run the following command to list workspaces:

az databricks workspace list

For each workspace, run the following command to get the privateEndpointConnections configuration:

az databricks workspace show --resource-group <resource-group> --name <workspace> --query privateEndpointConnections

Ensure a private endpoint connection is returned with a privateLinkServiceConnectionState status of Approved.

Audit from PowerShell

Run the following command to list workspaces:

Get-AzDatabricksWorkspace

Run the following command to get the workspace in a resource group with a given name:

$workspace = Get-AzDatabricksWorkspace -ResourceGroupName <resource-group> -Name <workspace>

Run the following command to get the PrivateEndpointConnection configuration:

$workspace.PrivateEndpointConnection | Select-Object -Property Id,PrivateLinkServiceConnectionStateStatus

Ensure a private endpoint connection is returned with a PrivateLinkServiceConnectionStateStatus of Approved. Repeat for each workspace.

Audit from Azure Policy

• Policy ID: 258823f2-4595-4b52-b333-cc96192710d8 - Name: 'Azure Databricks Workspaces should use private link'

Expected Result

Each workspace should have at least one private endpoint connection with a privateLinkServiceConnectionState status of Approved. No public network paths should be the sole means of access.

Remediation

Remediate from Azure Portal

1. Go to Azure Databricks.
2. Click the name of a workspace.
3. Under Settings, click Networking.
4. Click Private endpoint connections.
5. Click + Private endpoint.
6. Under Project details, select a Subscription and a Resource group.
7. Under Instance details, provide a Name, Network Interface Name, and select a Region.
8. Click Next : Resource >.
9. Select a Target sub-resource.
10. Click Next : Virtual Network >.
11. Under Networking, select a Virtual network and a Subnet.
12. Optionally, configure Private IP configuration and Application security group.
13. Click Next : DNS >.
14. Optionally, configure Private DNS integration.
15. Click Next : Tags >.
16. Optionally, configure tags.
17. Click Next : Review + create >.
18. Click Create.
19. Repeat steps 1-18 for each workspace requiring remediation.

Remediate from Azure CLI

For each workspace requiring remediation, run the following command to create a private endpoint connection:

az network private-endpoint create --resource-group <resource-group> --name <private-endpoint> --location <location> --vnet-name <virtual-network> --subnet <subnet> --private-connection-resource-id <workspace> --connection-name <private-endpoint-connection> --group-id <browser_authentication|databricks_ui_api>

Default Value

Private endpoints are not configured for Azure Databricks workspaces by default.

References

1. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/databricks/security/network/classic/private-link
2. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/databricks/workspace
3. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/az.databricks

Additional Information

This recommendation is based on the Common Reference Recommendation Ensure Private Endpoints are used to access {service}, from the Common Reference Recommendations > Networking > Private Endpoints section.

CIS Controls

MITRE ATT&CK Mappings

Profile

Level 2 | Automated