---
title: >-
  Publicly accessible Azure VM instance has a high or critical severity
  vulnerability
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: >-
  Docs > Datadog Security > OOTB Rules > Publicly accessible Azure VM instance
  has a high or critical severity vulnerability
---

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.datadoghq.com/llms.txt).

# Publicly accessible Azure VM instance has a high or critical severity vulnerability

## Description{% #description %}

A publicly accessible Azure VM instance has one or more high or critical severity vulnerabilities.

Because the instance is reachable from the internet, an attacker can attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities directly. Unpatched vulnerabilities expose system weaknesses and create an entry point for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the host, which can lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, or control of the underlying system.

## Remediation{% #remediation %}

1. Review any associated vulnerability references or advisories.
1. Apply the appropriate patch based on remediation guidance. If no patch is available, apply compensating controls such as disabling or removing the vulnerable component.
1. Assess whether this instance needs to be accessible from the internet. If not, restrict access to the instance.