vCenter Server plugins must be verified.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-243097	VCTR-67-000035	SV-243097r719534_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
VMware vSphere 6.7 vCenter Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-01-04

Details

Check Text ( C-46372r719532_chk )
Verify the vSphere Client used by administrators includes only authorized extensions from trusted sources. From the vSphere 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 approved plug-ins. If any Installed/Available plug-ins in the viewable list cannot be verified as an allowed vSphere Client plug-ins from trusted sources, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-46372r719532_chk )

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

From the vSphere 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 approved plug-ins.

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

Fix Text (F-46329r719533_fix)
From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Solutions >> Client Plug-Ins. Click the radio button next to the unknown plug-in and click disable. Proceed to uninstall the plug-in. To remove plug-ins: If vCenter Server is in linked mode, perform this procedure on the vCenter Server that is used to install the plug-in initially and then restart the vCenter Server services on the linked vCenter Server. In a web browser, navigate to http://vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob. vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob is the name of the vCenter Server or its IP address. Click "Content". Click "ExtensionManager". Select and copy the name of the plug-in to be removed from the list of values under "Properties". 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, restart the vSphere Client. Note: Enable the Managed Object Browser (MOB) temporarily if it was previously disabled.

Fix Text (F-46329r719533_fix)

From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Solutions >> Client Plug-Ins.

Click the radio button next to the unknown plug-in and click disable. Proceed to uninstall the plug-in.

To remove plug-ins:

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

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

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

Click "Content".

Click "ExtensionManager".

Select and copy the name of the plug-in to be removed from the list of values under "Properties".

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, restart the vSphere Client.

Note: Enable the Managed Object Browser (MOB) temporarily if it was previously disabled.