The system must use Active Directory for local user authentication.

From VMware vSphere ESXi 6.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-000764

SV-77733r1_rule The system must use Active Directory for local user authentication.

Vulnerability discussion

Join ESXi hosts to an Active Directory (AD) domain to eliminate the need to create and maintain multiple local user accounts. Using AD for user authentication simplifies the ESXi host configuration, ensures password complexity and reuse policies are enforced and reduces the risk of security breaches and unauthorized access. Note: If the AD group "ESX Admins" (default) exists then all users and groups that are assigned as members to this group will have full administrative access to all ESXi hosts the domain.

Check content

From the vSphere Client select the ESXi Host and go to Configuration >> Authentication Services. Verify the Directory Services Type is set to Active Directory. or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host run the following command: Get-VMHost | Get-VMHostAuthentication For systems that do not use Active Directory and have no local user accounts, other than root and/or vpxuser, this is not applicable. For systems that do not use Active Directory and do have local user accounts, other than root and/or vpxuser, this is a finding. If the Directory Services Type is not set to "Active Directory", this is a finding.

Fix text

From the vSphere Client select the ESXi Host and go to Configuration >> Authentication Services. Click Properties and change the "Directory Service Type" to Active Directory, enter the domain to join, check "Use vSphere Authentication Proxy" and enter the proxy server address then click "Join Domain". or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host run the following command: Get-VMHost | Get-VMHostAuthentication | Set-VMHostAuthentication -JoinDomain -Domain "domain name" -User "username" -Password "password"

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