The SSH client must be configured to only use FIPS 140-2 approved ciphers.

From VMware ESXi Server 5.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001129

SV-51262r2_rule The SSH client must be configured to only use FIPS 140-2 approved ciphers.

Vulnerability discussion

DoD information systems are required to use FIPS 140-2 approved ciphers. SSHv2 ciphers meeting this requirement are 3DES and AES.

Check content

Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. Check the SSH client configuration for allowed ciphers. # grep -i ciphers /etc/ssh/ssh_config | grep -v '^#' If the returned ciphers list contains any cipher not starting with 3des or aes, this is a finding. If the /etc/ssh/ssh_config file does not exist or the Ciphers option is not set, this is not a finding. Re-enable lock down mode.

Fix text

Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. Edit the SSH client configuration and add/modify the "Ciphers" configuration (example: 3des-ctr, aes128-ctr, aes192-ctr, aes256-ctr). # vi /etc/ssh/ssh_config Re-enable lock down mode.

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