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The ESXi host Secure Shell (SSH) daemon must be configured to not allow X11 forwarding.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-256392 ESXI-70-000023 SV-256392r885957_rule Medium
Description
X11 forwarding over SSH allows for the secure remote execution of X11-based applications. This feature can increase the attack surface of an SSH connection.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere 7.0 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide 2023-06-21

Details

Check Text ( C-60067r885955_chk )
From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# /usr/lib/vmware/openssh/bin/sshd -T|grep x11forwarding

Expected result:

x11forwarding no

If the output does not match the expected result, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-60010r885956_fix)
From an ESXi shell, add or correct the following line in "/etc/ssh/sshd_config":

X11Forwarding no