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9.7 Ensure that 'Python version' is the Latest Stable Version, if Used to Run the Web App (Manual)​

Profile Applicability​

• Level 1

Description​

Periodically, newer versions are released for Python software either due to security flaws or to include additional functionality. Using the latest full Python version for web apps is recommended in order to take advantage of security fixes, if any, and/or additional functionalities of the newer version.

Rationale​

Newer versions may contain security enhancements and additional functionality. Using the latest software version is recommended in order to take advantage of enhancements and new capabilities. With each software installation, organizations need to determine if a given update meets their requirements. They must also verify the compatibility and support provided for any additional software against the update revision that is selected. Using the latest full version will keep your stack secure to vulnerabilities and exploits.

Impact​

If your app is written using version-dependent features or libraries, they may not be available on the latest version. If you wish to upgrade, research the impact thoroughly. Upgrading may have unforeseen consequences that could result in downtime.

Audit​

From Azure Console​

  1. From Azure Home open the Portal Menu in the top left
  2. Go to App Services
  3. Click on each App
  4. Under Settings section, click on Configuration
  5. Click on the General settings pane and ensure that for a Stack of Python, with Major Version of Python 3, that the Minor Version is set to the latest stable version available (Python 3.8, at the time of writing)

NOTE: No action is required if Python version is set to Off, as Python is not used by your web app.

From Azure CLI​

To check Python version for an existing app, run the following command, NOTE: Only for Linux Web Apps

az webapp config show --resource-group <RESOURCE_GROUP_NAME> --name <APP_NAME> --query linuxFxVersion

The output should return the latest stable version of Python.

NOTE: No action is required if the output is empty, as Python is not used by your web app.

Remediation​

From Azure Portal​

  1. From Azure Home open the Portal Menu in the top left
  2. Go to App Services
  3. Click on each App
  4. Under Settings section, click on Configuration
  5. Click on the General settings pane and ensure that the Major Version and the Minor Version is set to the latest stable version available (Python 3.8, at the time of writing)

NOTE: No action is required if Python version is set to Off, as Python is not used by your web app.

From Azure CLI​

To see the list of supported runtimes:

az webapp list-runtimes | grep python

To set latest Python version for an existing app, run the following command:

az webapp config set --resource-group <RESOURCE_GROUP_NAME> --name <APP_NAME> --linux-fx-version "PYTHON|3.8"

References​

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/web-sites-configure#general-settings
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v3-posture-vulnerability-management#pv-7-rapidly-and-automatically-remediate-software-vulnerabilities
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v3-posture-vulnerability-management#pv-3-establish-secure-configurations-for-compute-resources
https://www.python.org/downloads/

Additional Information​

The latest stable version can be confirmed by going to python.org. Navigate to the downloads, and then find the most recent version that is marked by security in the maintenance column.