The system must remove keys from the SSH authorized_keys file.

From VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Part of SRG-OS-000480-VMM-002000

Associated with: CCI-000366

SV-77717r1_rule The system must remove keys from the SSH authorized_keys file.

Vulnerability discussion

ESXi hosts come with SSH which can be enabled to allow remote access without requiring user authentication. To enable password free access copy the remote users public key into the "/etc/ssh/keys-root/authorized_keys" file on the ESXi host. The presence of the remote user's public key in the "authorized_keys" file identifies the user as trusted, meaning the user is granted access to the host without providing a password. If using Lockdown Mode and SSH is disabled then login with authorized keys will have the same restrictions as username/password.

Check content

Log in to the host and verify the /etc/ssh/keys-root/authorized_keys file does not exist or is empty (zero bytes): # ls -la /etc/ssh/keys-root/authorized_keys or #cat /etc/ssh/keys-root/authorized_keys If the authorized_keys file exists and is not empty, this is a finding.

Fix text

As root, log in to the host and zero/remove /etc/ssh/keys-root/authorized_keys file: # >/etc/ssh/keys-root/authorized_keys or # rm /etc/ssh/keys-root/authorized_keys

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.