Virtual machines (VMs) must remove unneeded floppy devices.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-258722 | VMCH-80-000209 | SV-258722r933227_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Ensure no device is connected to a virtual machine if it is not required. For example, floppy, serial, and parallel ports are rarely used for virtual machines in a data center environment, and CD/DVD drives are usually connected only temporarily during software installation. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| VMware vSphere 8.0 Virtual Machine Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2023-10-11 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-258722r933227_chk)
Floppy drives are no longer visible through the vSphere Client and must be done via the Application Programming Interface (API) or PowerCLI.
From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host or vCenter server, run the following command:
Get-VM | Get-FloppyDrive | Select Parent, Name, ConnectionState
If a virtual machine has a floppy drive connected, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-62371r933226_fix)
Floppy drives are no longer visible through the vSphere Client and must be done via the Application Programming Interface (API) or PowerCLI.
The VM must be powered off to remove a floppy drive.
From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host or vCenter server, run the following command:
Get-VM "VM Name" | Get-FloppyDrive | Remove-FloppyDrive