The vCenter Server must enable FIPS-validated cryptography.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-258917 | VCSA-80-000077 | SV-258917r961029_rule | CCI-000197 | high |
| Description | ||||
| FIPS 140-2 is the current standard for validating that mechanisms used to access cryptographic modules use authentication that meets DOD requirements. In vSphere 6.7 and later, ESXi and vCenter Server use FIPS-validated cryptography to protect management interfaces and the VMware Certificate Authority (VMCA). vSphere 7.0 Update 2 and later adds additional FIPS-validated cryptography to vCenter Server Appliance. By default, this FIPS validation option is disabled and must be enabled. Satisfies: SRG-APP-000172, SRG-APP-000179, SRG-APP-000224, SRG-APP-000231, SRG-APP-000412, SRG-APP-000514, SRG-APP-000555, SRG-APP-000600, SRG-APP-000610, SRG-APP-000620, SRG-APP-000630, SRG-APP-000635 | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| VMware vSphere 8.0 vCenter Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-06-09 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-258917r961029_chk)
From the vSphere Web Client, go to Developer Center >> API Explorer.
From the "Select API" drop-down menu, select appliance.
Expand system/security/global_fips >> GET.
Click "Execute" and then "Copy Response" to view the results.
Example response:
{
"enabled": true
}
or
From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the vCenter server, run the following command:
Invoke-GetSystemGlobalFips
If global FIPS mode is not enabled, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-62566r934408_fix)
From the vSphere Web Client go to Developer Center >> API Explorer.
From the "Select API" drop-down menu, select appliance.
Expand system/security/global_fips >> PUT.
In the response body under "Try it out" paste the following:
{
"enabled": true
}
Click "Execute".
or
From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the vCenter server, run the following command:
$spec = Initialize-SystemSecurityGlobalFipsUpdateSpec -Enabled $true; Invoke-SetSystemGlobalFips -SystemSecurityGlobalFipsUpdateSpec $spec
Note: The vCenter server reboots after FIPS is enabled or disabled.