The vCenter Server must disable accounts used for Integrated Windows Authentication (IWA).
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-265979 | VCSA-80-000305 | SV-265979r1003616_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| If not used for their intended purpose, default accounts must be disabled. vCenter ships with several default accounts, two of which are specific to IWA and SASL/Kerberos authentication. If other methods of authentication are used, these accounts are not needed and must be disabled. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| VMware vSphere 8.0 vCenter Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-06-09 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-265979r1003616_chk)
If IWA is used for vCenter authentication, this is not applicable.
From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign On >> Users and Groups >> Users.
Change the domain to "vsphere.local" and review the "K/M" and "krbtgt/VSPHERE.LOCAL" accounts.
If the "K/M" and "krbtgt/VSPHERE.LOCAL" accounts are not disabled, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-69805r1003615_fix)
From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign On >> Users and Groups >> Users.
Select the "K/M" or "krbtgt/VSPHERE.LOCAL" and click "More" then select "Disable".
Click "Ok" to disable the user account.