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The ESXi host must enforce an unlock timeout of 15 minutes after a user account is locked out.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-258742 ESXI-80-000111 SV-258742r1003564_rule Medium
Description
By enforcing a reasonable unlock timeout after multiple failed logon attempts, the risk of unauthorized access via user password guessing, otherwise known as brute forcing, is reduced. Users must wait for the timeout period to elapse before subsequent logon attempts are allowed.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere 8.0 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide 2024-07-11

Details

Check Text ( C-62482r1003523_chk )
From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

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

Select the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" value and verify it is set to "900" or less and not "0".

or

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

Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.AccountUnlockTime

If the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" setting is less than 900 or 0, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-62391r933286_fix)
From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

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

Click "Edit". Select the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" value and configure it to "900".

or

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

Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.AccountUnlockTime | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value 900