TMAegisBeta
More rules for vmware

VMware ESXi

TMA-ESXI9-3.9

Host must automatically deactivate shell services

MediumLevel 1Automatedvmware

Description

Enabling the automatic deactivation of shell services minimizes the attack surface on the host. The time window for the ESXi Shell and SSH services' availability is defined by UserVars.ESXiShellTimeOut, after which these services are terminated. The recommended setting for this parameter is 3600. The audit reads UserVars.ESXiShellTimeOut with esxcli and requires 3600 seconds or less (0 disables it and fails). Runs in the ESXi Shell (busybox sh) as root.

How it is checked

Audit method: Shell command

shell
out=$(esxcli system settings advanced list -o /UserVars/ESXiShellTimeOut 2>/dev/null) || exit 1
v=$(printf '%s\n' "$out" | awk '$1=="Int" && $2=="Value:" {print $3; exit}')
case "$v" in ''|*[!0-9-]*) echo '/UserVars/ESXiShellTimeOut: no integer value'; exit 1 ;; esac
if [ "$v" -gt 0 ] && [ "$v" -le 3600 ]; then echo compliant; else echo "/UserVars/ESXiShellTimeOut = $v (expected 1-3600)"; fi
Expected output
compliant

How it is fixed

Fix method: Guidance or infrastructure patch

To set the timeout to the desired value, perform the following from the vSphere web client: 1. From the vSphere Web Client, select the host. 2. Click Configure then expand System. 3. Select Advanced System Settings then click Edit. 4. Enter ESXiShellTimeOut in the filter. 5. Set the value for this parameter is set to 3600 (1 hour) or less 6. Click OK. Note: A value of 0 disables the ESXiShellTimeOut. Alternately, run the following PowerCLI command: # Set UserVars.ESXiShellTimeOut to 3600 on all hosts Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name 'UserVars.ESXiShellTimeOut' | Set- AdvancedSetting -Value "3600"

Properties

Operating systems
Any
Tags
vmwareesximanagement
Reference
CIS VMware ESXi 9.0 Benchmark v1.0.0 - 3.9 Host must automatically deactivate shell services

Check this host

Run this on a machine you are allowed to audit. The scan is read-only.

shell
tmaegis scan --target vmware