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Log files must be cleaned up after failed installations of the vCenter Server.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
VCENTER-000016 VCENTER-000016 VCENTER-000016_rule Medium
Description
If the vCenter installation fails, a log file (with a name of the form "hs_err_pidXXXX") is created that contains the database password in plain text. An attacker who breaks into the vCenter Server could potentially steal this password and access the vCenter Database.
STIG Date
VMware vCenter Server Security Technical Implementation Guide 2013-01-15

Details

Check Text ( C-VCENTER-000016_chk )
If at any time a vCenter Server installation fails, only the log files of format "hs_err_pid...." should be identified on the Windows host and deleted securely before putting the host into production. Determine if a site policy exists for handling failed installation cleanup of the Windows host prior to deployment. Using the Windows host search function, determine the existence of any log files of format "hs_err_pid".

If a file name of the format "hs_err_pid" is found, this is a finding.

If a site policy does not exist and/or is not followed, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-VCENTER-000016_fix)
Develop a site policy for handling failed installation cleanup of the Windows host prior to deployment. Using the Windows host search function, determine the existence of any log files of format "hs_err_pid and remove them.