The SSH daemon must not accept environment variables from the client or must only accept those pertaining to locale.

The SSH daemon must not accept environment variables from the client or must only accept those pertaining to locale.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-39266	GEN005528-ESXI5-000106	SV-51082r2_rule		Medium

Description
Environment variables can be used to change the behavior of remote sessions and should be limited. Locale environment variables that specify the language, character set, and other features modifying the operation of software to match the user's preferences.

STIG	Date
VMware ESXi Server 5.0 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2017-01-06

Details

Check Text ( C-46530r2_chk )
Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. Execute the following command(s): # grep AcceptEnv /etc/ssh/sshd_config If the "AcceptEnv" attribute is not set to "LOCALE" or unassigned (the "AcceptEnv" attribute minus any parameter assignment), this is a finding. Re-enable lock down mode.

Fix Text (F-44245r2_fix)
Disable lock down mode. Enable the ESXi Shell. Execute the following command(s): # vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config Add/modify the attribute line entry to the following (quotes for emphasis only): "AcceptEnv LOCALE" or "AcceptEnv" Re-enable lock down mode.