Check: ESXI-65-000038
VMware vSphere 6.5 ESXi STIG:
ESXI-65-000038
(in versions v2 r4 through v1 r1)
Title
The ESXi host must use the vSphere Authentication Proxy to protect passwords when adding ESXi hosts to Active Directory. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
If you configure your host to join an Active Directory domain using Host Profiles the Active Directory credentials are saved in the host profile and are transmitted over the network. To avoid having to save Active Directory credentials in the Host Profile and to avoid transmitting Active Directory credentials over the network use the vSphere Authentication Proxy.
Check Content
From the vSphere Web Client go to Home >> Host Profiles >> and select a Host Profile to edit. View the settings under Security and Services >> Security Settings >> Authentication Configuration >> Active Directory Configuration >> Join Domain Method. Verify the method used to join hosts to a domain is set to "Use vSphere Authentication Proxy to add the host to domain". or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to vCenter run the following command: Get-VMHost | Select Name, ` @{N="HostProfile";E={$_ | Get-VMHostProfile}}, ` @{N="JoinADEnabled";E={($_ | Get-VmHostProfile).ExtensionData.Config.ApplyProfile.Authentication.ActiveDirectory.Enabled}}, ` @{N="JoinDomainMethod";E={(($_ | Get-VMHostProfile).ExtensionData.Config.ApplyProfile.Authentication.ActiveDirectory | Select -ExpandProperty Policy | Where {$_.Id -eq "JoinDomainMethodPolicy"}).Policyoption.Id}} Verify if JoinADEnabled is True then JoinDomainMethod should be "FixedCAMConfigOption". If you are not using Host Profiles to join active directory, this is not a finding.
Fix Text
From the vSphere Web Client go to Home >> Host Profiles >> and select a Host Profile to edit. View the settings under Security and Services >> Security Settings >> Authentication Configuration >> Active Directory Configuration >> Join Domain Method. Set the method used to join hosts to a domain to "Use vSphere Authentication Proxy to add the host to domain" and provide the IP address of the vSphere Authentication Proxy server.
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-207639r378847_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-207639
Group Title: SRG-OS-000104-VMM-000500
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-000764 |
The information system uniquely identifies and authenticates organizational users (or processes acting on behalf of organizational users). |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
IA-2 |
Identification And Authentication (Organizational Users) |