The system must be configured to only boot from the system boot device.

From VMware ESXi Server 5.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-51242r1_rule The system must be configured to only boot from the system boot device.

Vulnerability discussion

The ability to boot from removable media is the same as being able to boot into single user or maintenance mode without a password. This ability could allow a malicious user to boot the system and perform changes possibly compromising or damaging the system. It could also allow the system to be used for malicious purposes by a malicious anonymous user.

Check content

Note: Checking a system's BIOS is vendor and hardware dependent. To verify media boot options: Interrupt the host computer's boot process and enter the BIOS menu. Inspect the menu option for boot order. If any media other than the ESXi boot disk is listed as a boot option, this is a finding.

Fix text

Note: Checking a system's BIOS is vendor and hardware dependent. To ensure media boot options: Interrupt the host computer's boot process and enter the BIOS menu. Inspect the menu option for boot order. Remove all boot media options except for ESXi. Save the change and exit to verify the boot cycle.

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.