The system must set a timeout for the ESXi Shell to automatically disable itself after a predetermined period.

From VMware ESXi Server 5.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000879

SV-51250r2_rule The system must set a timeout for the ESXi Shell to automatically disable itself after a predetermined period.

Vulnerability discussion

The ESXiShellTimeout setting is the number of seconds that can elapse before a logon occurs after the ESXi Shell is enabled. After the timeout period, if a logon has not occurred, the shell is disabled. Leaving the shell enabled unnecessarily increases the potential for someone to gain privileged access to the host

Check content

From the vSphere client select the host and click "Configuration >> Advanced Settings". Select "UserVars.ESXiShellTimeOut" parameter and verify it is set to a value not to exceed 900 seconds (15 minutes). A value of 0 disables the ESXi Shell timeout. If the "UserVars.ESXiShellTimeOut" parameter is set to a value less than 1 or greater than 900, this is a finding.

Fix text

From the vSphere client select the host and click "Configuration >> Advanced Settings". Select UserVars.ESXiShellTimeOut parameter and configure it to a value not to exceed 900 seconds (15 minutes). A value of 0 disables the ESXi Shell timeout.

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