Check: ESXI-65-000031
VMware vSphere 6.5 ESXi STIG:
ESXI-65-000031
(in versions v2 r4 through v1 r1)
Title
The ESXi host must enforce password complexity by requiring that at least one upper-case character be used. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
To enforce the use of complex passwords, minimum numbers of characters of different classes are mandated. The use of complex passwords reduces the ability of attackers to successfully obtain valid passwords using guessing or exhaustive search techniques. Complexity requirements increase the password search space by requiring users to construct passwords from a larger character set than they may otherwise use.
Check Content
From the vSphere Web Client select the ESXi Host and go to Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings. Select the Security.PasswordQualityControl value and verify it is set to "similar=deny retry=3 min=disabled,disabled,disabled,disabled,15" or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host run the following command: Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.PasswordQualityControl If the Security.PasswordQualityControl setting is not set to "similar=deny retry=3 min=disabled,disabled,disabled,disabled,15", this is a finding.
Fix Text
From the vSphere Web Client select the ESXi Host and go to Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings. Click Edit and select the Security.PasswordQualityControl value and configure it to "similar=deny retry=3 min=disabled,disabled,disabled,disabled,15". or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host run the following commands: Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.PasswordQualityControl | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value "similar=deny retry=3 min=disabled,disabled,disabled,disabled,15"
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-207632r378739_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-207632
Group Title: SRG-OS-000069-VMM-000360
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-000192 |
The information system enforces password complexity by the minimum number of upper case characters used. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
IA-5 (1) |
Password-Based Authentication |