All accounts on the system must have unique user or account names.

From VMware ESXi Server 5.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000804

SV-51246r1_rule All accounts on the system must have unique user or account names.

Vulnerability discussion

A unique user name is the first part of the identification and authentication process. If user names are not unique, there can be no accountability on the system for auditing purposes. Multiple accounts sharing the same name could result in the Denial-of-Service to one or both of the accounts or unauthorized access to files or privileges.

Check content

Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. Execute the following command(s): # cat /etc/passwd If any non-unique user name is found (example: multiple root user name entries), this is a finding. Re-enable lock down mode.

Fix text

Change user account names, or delete accounts, so each account has a unique name. From the vSphere Client/vCenter: Click on the "Users and Groups" tab. Click on the "Users" button. Right click and select "Add". Specify the desired User Name, Password, etc and Click "OK".

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.