SNMP communities, users, and passphrases must be changed from the default.

From VMware ESXi Server 5.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-51063r1_rule SNMP communities, users, and passphrases must be changed from the default.

Vulnerability discussion

Whether active or inactive, default communities, users, and passwords must be changed to maintain security. A service running with default authenticators allows acquisition of data about the system and the network to potentially compromise the integrity of the system or network(s).

Check content

Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. Login as root and check the snmp configuration file for default(s): # egrep -i "community|communities" /etc/vmware/snmp.xml If any community name or password is set to a default value such as public, private or password, this is a finding. Re-enable lock down mode.

Fix text

From the Power/v CLI, run the (below example) command: > # vicfg-snmp.pl --server --username --password -E -c In the above example, -E enables the VMware SNMP agent, and -c sets communities to the provided name.

Pro Tips

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