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The ESXi host must use Active Directory for local user authentication.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-239292 ESXI-67-000037 SV-239292r674805_rule Low
Description
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. Satisfies: SRG-OS-000104-VMM-000500, SRG-OS-000109-VMM-000550, SRG-OS-000112-VMM-000560, SRG-OS-000113-VMM-000570
STIG Date
VMware vSphere 6.7 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide 2022-01-05

Details

Check Text ( C-42525r674803_chk )
From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> System >> 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 (F-42484r674804_fix)
From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> System >> Authentication Services.

Click "Join Domain" and enter the AD domain to join. Select the "Using credentials” radio button, enter the credentials of an account with permissions to join machines to AD (use UPN naming – user@domain), and then click "OK".

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"