The vCenter Server must not automatically refresh client sessions.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-243125	VCTR-67-000070	SV-243125r719618_rule		Medium

Description

Terminating an idle session within a short time period reduces the window of opportunity for unauthorized personnel to take control of a management session enabled on the console or console port that has been left unattended. In addition, quickly terminating an idle session will also free up resources committed by the managed network element. Automatic client session refreshes keep unused sessions online, blocking session timeouts.

STIG	Date
VMware vSphere 6.7 vCenter Security Technical Implementation Guide	2022-09-09

Details

Check Text ( C-46400r719616_chk )
Note: For vCenter Server Appliance, this is not applicable. On the vCenter Server locate the "webclient.properties" file in C:\ProgramData\VMware\vCenterServer\cfg\vsphere-client Find the "refresh.rate =" line in the "webclient.properties" file. If the refresh rate is not set to "-1" in the "webclient.properties" file, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-46357r719617_fix)

Change the refresh rate value by editing the "webclient.properties" file. On the vCenter Server locate the "webclient.properties" file in C:\ProgramData\VMware\vCenterServer\cfg\vsphere-client Edit the file to include the line "refresh.rate = -1" where "-1" indicates sessions are not automatically refreshed. Uncomment the line if necessary. After editing the file the vSphere Client service must be restarted.