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Copy operations must be disabled on the virtual machine.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-237065 VMCH-65-000001 SV-237065r640032_rule Low
Description
Copy and paste operations are disabled by default; however, by explicitly disabling this feature it will enable audit controls to check that this setting is correct. Copy, paste, drag and drop, or GUI copy/paste operations between the guest OS and the remote console could provide the means for an attacker to compromise the VM.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere 6.5 Virtual Machine Security Technical Implementation Guide 2021-09-22

Details

Check Text ( C-40284r640030_chk )
From the vSphere Web Client right-click the Virtual Machine and go to Edit Settings >> VM Options >> Advanced >> Configuration Parameters >> Edit Configuration. Verify the isolation.tools.copy.disable value is set to true.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host or vCenter server, run the following command:

Get-VM "VM Name" | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name isolation.tools.copy.disable

If the virtual machine advanced setting isolation.tools.copy.disable does not exist or is not set to true, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-40247r640031_fix)
From the vSphere Web Client right-click the Virtual Machine and go to Edit Settings >> VM Options >> Advanced >> Configuration Parameters >> Edit Configuration. Find the isolation.tools.copy.disable value and set it to true. If the setting does not exist, add the Name and Value setting at the bottom of screen.

Note: The VM must be powered off to configure the advanced settings through the vSphere Web Client so it is recommended to configure these settings with PowerCLI as it can be done while the VM is powered on. Settings do not take effect via either method until the virtual machine is cold started, not rebooted.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host or vCenter server, run the following command:

If the setting does not exist, run:

Get-VM "VM Name" | New-AdvancedSetting -Name isolation.tools.copy.disable -Value true

If the setting exists, run:

Get-VM "VM Name" | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name isolation.tools.copy.disable | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value true