Check: ESXI-65-000045
VMware vSphere 6.5 ESXi STIG:
ESXI-65-000045
(in versions v2 r4 through v1 r1)
Title
The ESXi host must enable a persistent log location for all locally stored logs. (Cat II impact)
Discussion
ESXi can be configured to store log files on an in-memory file system. This occurs when the host's "/scratch" directory is linked to "/tmp/scratch". When this is done only a single day's worth of logs are stored at any time. In addition log files will be reinitialized upon each reboot. This presents a security risk as user activity logged on the host is only stored temporarily and will not persistent across reboots. This can also complicate auditing and make it harder to monitor events and diagnose issues. ESXi host logging should always be configured to a persistent datastore. Note: Scratch space is configured automatically during installation or first boot of an ESXi host, and does not usually need to be manually configured. ESXi Installable creates a 4 GB Fat16 partition on the target device during installation if there is sufficient space, and if the device is considered Local. If ESXi is installed on an SD card or USB device a persistent log location may not be configured upon install as normal.
Check Content
From the vSphere Web Client select the ESXi Host and go to Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings. Select the Syslog.global.logDir value and verify it is set to a persistent location. or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host run the following commands: Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Syslog.global.logDir or $esxcli = Get-EsxCli $esxcli.system.syslog.config.get() | Select LocalLogOutput,LocalLogOutputIsPersistent If the Syslog.global.logDir or LocalLogOutput value is not on persistent storage, this is a finding. If the LocalLogOutputIsPersistent value is not true, 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 Syslog.global.logDir value and set it to a known persistent location. or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host run the following commands: Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Syslog.global.logDir | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value "New Log Location"
Additional Identifiers
Rule ID: SV-207646r854578_rule
Vulnerability ID: V-207646
Group Title: SRG-OS-000341-VMM-001220
Expert Comments
CCIs
Number | Definition |
---|---|
CCI-001849 |
The organization allocates audit record storage capacity in accordance with organization-defined audit record storage requirements. |
Controls
Number | Title |
---|---|
AU-4 |
Audit Storage Capacity |