> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/appsec-rules/iac-security/compute/appsec-azure-177.md).

# Windows VM Without Automatic Updates misconfiguration detected in code

## Windows VM Without Automatic Updates misconfiguration detected in code

### Rule Details

|                        |                                         |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_AZURE\_177                      |
| Category - Subcategory | Compute - Unsanctioned Resource Or Type |
| Provider               | AZURE                                   |
| Severity               | MEDIUM                                  |
| Framework              | ARM, Bicep, Terraform, Terraform Plan   |

### Impact

Automatic updates are crucial for maintaining the security and performance of systems. Regular updates address vulnerabilities that might be exploited, provide enhancements, and deliver crucial security patches. For Windows Virtual Machines (VMs) and Virtual Machine Scale Sets in Azure, enabling automatic updates ensures that these instances remain up-to-date with the latest patches from Microsoft.

This rule checks to ensure that Windows VMs and VM Scale Sets are configured to have automatic updates enabled.

### How to Fix

*Resources:*

* azurerm\_windows\_virtual\_machine
* azurerm\_windows\_virtual\_machine\_scale\_set

*Argument:*

* enable\_automatic\_updates

### Note: It's recommended to enable automatic updates on all Windows VM and VM Scale Set instances in Azure to ensure they receive the latest security patches and updates from Microsoft. \[source,go]

resource "azurerm\_windows\_virtual\_machine" "example" { name = "example-vm" location = azurerm\_resource\_group.example.location resource\_group\_name = azurerm\_resource\_group.example.name

## ... other configurations ...

* enable\_automatic\_updates = true }

resource "azurerm\_windows\_virtual\_machine\_scale\_set" "example" { name = "example-vmss" location = azurerm\_resource\_group.example.location resource\_group\_name = azurerm\_resource\_group.example.name

## ... other configurations ...

* enable\_automatic\_updates = true }

***


---

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