Host must be configured with an appropriate maximum password age

MediumLevel 1Manual reviewvmware

Description

Implementing a maximum password age, as determined by the Security.PasswordMaxDays parameter, is aligned with modern password policies outlined in NIST 800-63B Section 5.1.1.2, which argue against forced periodic password changes provided that passwords have sufficient complexity. Manual review: the check needs vCenter/PowerCLI, firmware or guest access, or an organization-specific value.

How it is checked

Audit method: Manual review

This recommendation cannot be checked automatically. A scan lists it with these instructions when you pass --include-manual.

From an administrative PowerCLI session 1. Execute Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.PasswordMaxDays 2. Verify that the value matches organizational policy or 99999 when periodic password rotation is not required by policy.

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

1. Set the approved value with Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.PasswordMaxDays | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value <approved_days> -Confirm:$false 2. Document any policy-driven value that differs from the benchmark baseline.

Properties

Operating systems: Any
Tags: vmwareesximanagement
Reference: CIS VMware ESXi 9.0 Benchmark v1.0.0 - 3.15 Host must be configured with an appropriate maximum password age