vCenter Server for Windows plugins must be verified.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-216857	VCWN-65-000035	SV-216857r612237_rule		Medium

Description
The vCenter Server includes a vSphere Client extensibility framework, which provides the ability to extend the vSphere Client with menu selections or toolbar icons that provide access to vCenter Server add-on components or external, Web-based functionality. vSphere Client plugins or extensions run at the same privilege level as the user. Malicious extensions might masquerade as useful add-ons while compromising the system by stealing credentials or incorrectly configuring the system.

Description

The vCenter Server includes a vSphere Client extensibility framework, which provides the ability to extend the vSphere Client with menu selections or toolbar icons that provide access to vCenter Server add-on components or external, Web-based functionality. vSphere Client plugins or extensions run at the same privilege level as the user. Malicious extensions might masquerade as useful add-ons while compromising the system by stealing credentials or incorrectly configuring the system.

STIG	Date
VMW vSphere 6.5 vCenter Server for Windows Security Technical Implementation Guide	2021-06-23

Details

Check Text ( C-18088r366285_chk )
Verify the vSphere Client used by administrators includes only authorized extensions from trusted sources. From the vSphere Web Client go to Administration >> Solutions >> Client Plug-Ins. View the Installed/Available Plug-ins list and verify they are all identified as authorized VMware, Third-party (Partner) and/or site-specific (locally developed and site) approved plug-ins. If any Installed/Available plug-ins in the viewable list cannot be verified as vSphere Client plug-ins and/or authorized extensions from trusted sources, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-18088r366285_chk )

Verify the vSphere Client used by administrators includes only authorized extensions from trusted sources.

From the vSphere Web Client go to Administration >> Solutions >> Client Plug-Ins. View the Installed/Available Plug-ins list and verify they are all identified as authorized VMware, Third-party (Partner) and/or site-specific (locally developed and site) approved plug-ins.

If any Installed/Available plug-ins in the viewable list cannot be verified as vSphere Client plug-ins and/or authorized extensions from trusted sources, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-18086r366286_fix)
From the vSphere Web Client go to Administration >> Solutions >> Client Plug-Ins and right click the unknown plug-in and click disable then proceed to remove the plug-in. To remove plug-ins do the following: If you have vCenter Server in linked mode, perform this procedure on the vCenter Server that is used to install the plug-in initially, then restart the vCenter Server services on the linked vCenter Server. In a web browser, navigate to http://vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob. Where vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob is the name of your vCenter Server or its IP address. Click Content. Click ExtensionManager. Select and copy the name of the plug-in you want to remove from the list of values under Properties. For a list of default plug-ins, see the Additional Information section of this article. Click UnregisterExtension. A new window appears. Paste the name of the plug-in and click Invoke Method. This removes the plug-in. Close the window. Refresh the Managed Object Type:ManagedObjectReference:ExtensionManager window to verify that the plug-in is removed successfully. Note: If the plug-in still appears, you may have to restart the vSphere Client. Note: You may have to enable the Managed Object Browser (MOB) temporarily if previously disabled.

Fix Text (F-18086r366286_fix)

From the vSphere Web Client go to Administration >> Solutions >> Client Plug-Ins and right click the unknown plug-in and click disable then proceed to remove the plug-in.

To remove plug-ins do the following:

If you have vCenter Server in linked mode, perform this procedure on the vCenter Server that is used to install the plug-in initially, then restart the vCenter Server services on the linked vCenter Server.

In a web browser, navigate to http://vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob.

Where vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob is the name of your vCenter Server or its IP address.

Click Content.

Click ExtensionManager.

Select and copy the name of the plug-in you want to remove from the list of values under Properties. For a list of default plug-ins, see the Additional Information section of this article.

Click UnregisterExtension. A new window appears.

Paste the name of the plug-in and click Invoke Method. This removes the plug-in.

Close the window.

Refresh the Managed Object Type:ManagedObjectReference:ExtensionManager window to verify that the plug-in is removed successfully.

Note: If the plug-in still appears, you may have to restart the vSphere Client.

Note: You may have to enable the Managed Object Browser (MOB) temporarily if previously disabled.