The ESXi host must enforce an unlock timeout of 15 minutes after a user account is locked out.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-258742 | ESXI-80-000111 | SV-258742r933287_rule | CCI-002238 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| By enforcing a reasonable unlock timeout after multiple failed logon attempts, the risk of unauthorized access via user password guessing, otherwise known as brute forcing, is reduced. Users must wait for the timeout period to elapse before subsequent logon attempts are allowed. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| VMware vSphere 8.0 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2023-10-11 | |||
Related Frameworks
3 paths across 3 frameworks
Related Frameworks
NIST 800-531 mapping
AC-7
1.00
- DISA · V1R1 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
NIST 800-1711 mapping
3.1.8
1.00
- DISA · V1R1 · disa_xccdf · related
- DISA · 2025-01-23 · disa_cci_list · equivalent
- NIST · Rev 2 (Feb 2020, errata Jan 2021) · nist_800_171_app_d · equivalent
CCI1 mapping
CCI-002238
1.00
- DISA · V1R1 · disa_xccdf · related
Details
Check Text (C-258742r933287_chk)
From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.
Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings.
Select the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" value and verify it is set to less than "900" and not "0".
or
From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following command:
Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.AccountUnlockTime
If the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" setting is less than 900 or 0, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-62391r933286_fix)
From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.
Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings.
Click "Edit". Select the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" value and configure it to "900".
or
From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following command:
Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.AccountUnlockTime | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value 900