Title

The vCenter Server must disable Password and Windows integrated authentication. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

All forms of authentication other than CAC must be disabled. Password authentication can be temporarily reenabled for emergency access to the local SSO domain accounts, but it must be disabled as soon as CAC authentication is functional.

Check Content

Note: For vCenter Server Appliance, this is not applicable. From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign-On >> Configuration >> Smart Card Authentication. If "Smart card authentication" is not enabled and "Password and windows session authentication" is not disabled, this is a finding.

Fix Text

From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign-On >> Configuration >> Smart Card Authentication. Next to "Authentication methods", click "Edit". Click the "Enable smart card authentication" radio button and click "Save". To reenable password authentication for troubleshooting purposes, run the following command on the vCenter server: C:\Program Files\VMware\VCenter server\VMware Identity Services\sso-config.bat -set_authn_policy -pwdAuthn true -winAuthn false -certAuthn false -securIDAuthn false -t vsphere.local

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-243133r879887_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-243133

Group Title: SRG-APP-000516

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.