The vCenter Server must disable Username/Password and Windows Integrated Authentication.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-256363	VCSA-70-000283	SV-256363r885700_rule		Low

Description
All forms of authentication other than Common Access Card (CAC) must be disabled. Password authentication can be temporarily reenabled for emergency access to the local Single Sign-On (SSO) accounts or Active Directory user/pass accounts, but it must be disabled as soon as CAC authentication is functional.

STIG	Date
VMware vSphere 7.0 vCenter Security Technical Implementation Guide	2023-12-21

Details

Check Text ( C-60038r885698_chk )
If a federated identity provider is configured and used for an identity source, this is not applicable. From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign On >> Configuration >> Identity Provider >> Smart Card Authentication. Under "Authentication method", examine the allowed methods. If "Smart card authentication" is not enabled and "Password and windows session authentication" is not disabled , this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-60038r885698_chk )

If a federated identity provider is configured and used for an identity source, this is not applicable.

From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign On >> Configuration >> Identity Provider >> Smart Card Authentication.

Under "Authentication method", examine the allowed methods.

If "Smart card authentication" is not enabled and "Password and windows session authentication" is not disabled , this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-59981r885699_fix)
From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign On >> Configuration >> Identity Provider >> Smart Card Authentication. Next to "Authentication method", click "Edit". Select the radio button to "Enable smart card authentication". Click "Save". To reenable password authentication for troubleshooting purposes, run the following command on the vCenter Server Appliance: # /opt/vmware/bin/sso-config.sh -set_authn_policy -pwdAuthn true -winAuthn false -certAuthn false -securIDAuthn false -t vsphere.local

Fix Text (F-59981r885699_fix)

From the vSphere Client, go to Administration >> Single Sign On >> Configuration >> Identity Provider >> Smart Card Authentication.

Next to "Authentication method", click "Edit".

Select the radio button to "Enable smart card authentication".

Click "Save".

To reenable password authentication for troubleshooting purposes, run the following command on the vCenter Server Appliance:

# /opt/vmware/bin/sso-config.sh -set_authn_policy -pwdAuthn true -winAuthn false -certAuthn false -securIDAuthn false -t vsphere.local