The vCenter Administrator role must be secured and assigned to specific users other than a Windows Administrator.

From VMware vSphere vCenter Server Version 6 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-78489r1_rule The vCenter Administrator role must be secured and assigned to specific users other than a Windows Administrator.

Vulnerability discussion

By default, vCenter Server grants full administrative rights to the local administrator's account, which can be accessed by domain administrators. Separation of duties dictates that full vCenter Administrative rights should be granted only to those administrators who are required to have it. This privilege should not be granted to any group whose membership is not strictly controlled. Therefore, administrative rights should be removed from the local Windows server to users who are not vCenter administrators.

Check content

If enhanced linked mode is used then local windows authentication is not available to vCenter, this is not applicable. Under the computer management console for windows view the local administrators group and verify only vCenter administrators have access to the vCenter server. Other groups and users that are not vCenter administrators should be removed from the local administrators group such as Domain Admins. If there are any groups or users present in the local administrators group of the vCenter server, this is a finding.

Fix text

Under the computer management console for windows view the local administrators group and remove any users or groups that are not vCenter administrators.

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