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The ESXi host SSH daemon must not permit root logins.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-207615 ESXI-65-000014 SV-207615r388482_rule Low
Description
Permitting direct root login reduces auditable information about who ran privileged commands on the system and also allows direct attack attempts on root's password.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere 6.5 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide 2021-09-22

Details

Check Text ( C-7870r364244_chk )
From an SSH session connected to the ESXi host, or from the ESXi shell, run the following command:

# grep -i "^PermitRootLogin" /etc/ssh/sshd_config

If there is no output or the output is not exactly "PermitRootLogin no", this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-7870r364245_fix)
From an SSH session connected to the ESXi host, or from the ESXi shell, add or correct the following line in "/etc/ssh/sshd_config":

Add or correct the following line in "/etc/ssh/sshd_config":

PermitRootLogin no