The ESXi host DCUI.Access list must be verified.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-258751 ESXI-80-000189 SV-258751r933314_rule Medium
Description
Lockdown mode disables direct host access, requiring that administrators manage hosts from vCenter Server. However, if a host becomes isolated from vCenter, the administrator is locked out and can no longer manage the host. The "DCUI.Access" advanced setting allows specified users to exit lockdown mode in such a scenario. If the Direct Console User Interface (DCUI) is running in strict lockdown mode, this setting is ineffective.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere 8.0 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide 2023-10-11

Details

Check Text ( C-62491r933312_chk )
For environments that do not use vCenter server to manage ESXi, this is not applicable.

From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings.

Select the "DCUI.Access" value and verify only the root user is listed.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following command:

Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name DCUI.Access and verify it is set to root.

If the "DCUI.Access" is not restricted to "root", this is a finding.

Note: This list is only for local user accounts and should only contain the root user.
Fix Text (F-62400r933313_fix)
From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings.

Click "Edit". Select the "DCUI.Access" value and configure it to "root".

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following command:

Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name DCUI.Access | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value "root"