The ESXi host must protect the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information by isolating IP-based storage traffic.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-239305	ESXI-67-000050	SV-239305r674844_rule		Medium

Description
Virtual machines might share virtual switches and VLANs with the IP-based storage configurations. IP-based storage includes vSAN, iSCSI, and NFS. This configuration might expose IP-based storage traffic to unauthorized virtual machine users. IP-based storage frequently is not encrypted. It can be viewed by anyone with access to this network. To restrict unauthorized users from viewing the IP-based storage traffic, the IP-based storage network must be logically separated from the production traffic. Configuring the IP-based storage adaptors on separate VLANs or network segments from other VMkernels and virtual machines will limit unauthorized users from viewing the traffic.

Description

Virtual machines might share virtual switches and VLANs with the IP-based storage configurations. IP-based storage includes vSAN, iSCSI, and NFS. This configuration might expose IP-based storage traffic to unauthorized virtual machine users. IP-based storage frequently is not encrypted. It can be viewed by anyone with access to this network. To restrict unauthorized users from viewing the IP-based storage traffic, the IP-based storage network must be logically separated from the production traffic. Configuring the IP-based storage adaptors on separate VLANs or network segments from other VMkernels and virtual machines will limit unauthorized users from viewing the traffic.

STIG	Date
VMware vSphere 6.7 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-01-05

Details

Check Text ( C-42538r674842_chk )
If IP-based storage is not used, this is Not Applicable. Verify that IP-based storage (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN) VMkernel port groups are in a dedicated VLAN, which can be on a standard or distributed virtual switch that is logically separated from other traffic types. The check for this will be unique per environment. From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi Host and go to Configure >> Networking >> VMkernel adapters. Review the VLANs associated with any IP-based storage VMkernels and verify it is dedicated for that purpose and logically separated from other functions. If any IP-based storage networks are not isolated from other traffic types, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-42538r674842_chk )

If IP-based storage is not used, this is Not Applicable.

Verify that IP-based storage (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN) VMkernel port groups are in a dedicated VLAN, which can be on a standard or distributed virtual switch that is logically separated from other traffic types. The check for this will be unique per environment.

From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi Host and go to Configure >> Networking >> VMkernel adapters.

Review the VLANs associated with any IP-based storage VMkernels and verify it is dedicated for that purpose and logically separated from other functions.

If any IP-based storage networks are not isolated from other traffic types, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-42497r674843_fix)
Configuration of an IP-Based VMkernel will be unique to each environment. However, as an example, to modify the IP address and VLAN information to the correct network on a standard switch for an iSCSI VMkernel, do the following: vSAN Example: From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> VMkernel adapters. Select the dedicated vSAN VMkernel adapter and click Edit settings. On the Port properties tab, uncheck everything but "vSAN.” On the IP Settings tab, enter the appropriate IP address and subnet information and click "OK". Set the appropriate VLAN ID by navigating to Configure >> Networking >> Virtual switches. Select the appropriate portgroup (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN) and click Edit settings. On the properties tab, enter the appropriate VLAN ID and click "OK".

Fix Text (F-42497r674843_fix)

Configuration of an IP-Based VMkernel will be unique to each environment. However, as an example, to modify the IP address and VLAN information to the correct network on a standard switch for an iSCSI VMkernel, do the following:

vSAN Example:
From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> VMkernel adapters.

Select the dedicated vSAN VMkernel adapter and click Edit settings.

On the Port properties tab, uncheck everything but "vSAN.”

On the IP Settings tab, enter the appropriate IP address and subnet information and click "OK".

Set the appropriate VLAN ID by navigating to Configure >> Networking >> Virtual switches.

Select the appropriate portgroup (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN) and click Edit settings.

On the properties tab, enter the appropriate VLAN ID and click "OK".