Verify that the Expiration Date is set for all Secrets in RBAC Key Vaults

Last updated: April 9, 2026

Framework Reference: 9.3.1 Key Expiration Enforcement – Azure Key Vault (Level 1)

Why this matters

Azure Key Vault stores cryptographic keys used for encryption, signing, and key wrapping. By default, keys do not expire. Without an expiration date:
Keys may remain valid indefinitely
Key rotation policies may not be enforced
Long-lived keys increase the impact of compromise
Organizations risk violating cryptographic lifecycle best practices
The exp (expiration date) attribute defines the date after which a key must not be used for new encryption, key wrapping, or signing operations.
Setting expiration dates enforces key rotation discipline and reduces exposure from stale or compromised cryptographic material.
This control applies specifically to RBAC-enabled Key Vaults.

What this check does

This Auto Check verifies that all enabled keys in RBAC-enabled Azure Key Vaults have an expiration date configured.

Check Logic

Passes if:

The Key Vault has EnableRbacAuthorization set to True, and
Every key where enabled = True has a non-null expires attribute.

Fails if:

An enabled key has no expiration date, or
The expiration attribute is null or empty.

Applies to:

Azure Key Vaults configured with RBAC authorization
All cryptographic keys within those vaults
The check evaluates key attributes via Azure management APIs.

How to fix it

Set expiration dates for all enabled keys.

Azure Portal

Go to Key vaults.
Select a Key Vault.
Click Keys.
For each enabled key, set an appropriate Expiration date.
Repeat for all RBAC-enabled vaults.

Azure CLI

List all Key Vaults:

az keyvault list

Check keys in a vault:

az keyvault key list --vault-name <VaultName> \ --query '[*].{"kid":kid,"enabled":attributes.enabled,"expires":attributes.expires}'

Update expiration date:

az keyvault key set-attributes \ --name <keyName> \ --vault-name <vaultName> \ --expires Y-m-d'T'H:M:S'Z'

Replace placeholders with appropriate values.

PowerShell

List Key Vaults:

Get-AzKeyVault

Check if vault uses RBAC:

Get-AzKeyVault -VaultName <VaultName>

List keys:

Get-AzKeyVaultKey -VaultName <VaultName>

Set expiration date:

Set-AzKeyVaultKeyAttribute -VaultName <VaultName> -Name <KeyName> -Expires <DateTime>

Default value

By default, Azure Key Vault keys do not expire.

Impact

Keys cannot be used beyond their expiration date.
Applications depending on expired keys may fail if rotation is not properly managed.
Requires a formal key rotation process.
Organizations must ensure keys are rotated before expiration to avoid service disruption.

Permissions Note

Viewing key expiration dates requires List permission on keys.
Updating expiration dates requires appropriate RBAC roles (e.g., Key Vault Crypto Officer).

Exceptions

No standard exceptions are recommended.
If key expiration cannot be enforced:
Document the business justification.
Implement a documented manual rotation process.
Monitor key age and usage regularly.