The vCenter Server must protect the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information by isolating Internet Protocol (IP)-based storage traffic.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-258946	VCSA-80-000279	SV-258946r961863_rule		Medium

Description
Virtual machines might share virtual switches and virtual local area networks (VLAN) with the IP-based storage configurations. IP-based storage includes vSAN, Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI), and Network File System (NFS). This configuration might expose IP-based storage traffic to unauthorized virtual machine users. IP-based storage frequently is not encrypted. It can be viewed by anyone with access to this network. To restrict unauthorized users from viewing the IP-based storage traffic, the IP-based storage network must be logically separated from the production traffic. Configuring the IP-based storage adaptors on separate VLANs or network segments from other VMkernels and virtual machines will limit unauthorized users from viewing the traffic.

Description

Virtual machines might share virtual switches and virtual local area networks (VLAN) with the IP-based storage configurations. IP-based storage includes vSAN, Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI), and Network File System (NFS). This configuration might expose IP-based storage traffic to unauthorized virtual machine users. IP-based storage frequently is not encrypted. It can be viewed by anyone with access to this network. To restrict unauthorized users from viewing the IP-based storage traffic, the IP-based storage network must be logically separated from the production traffic. Configuring the IP-based storage adaptors on separate VLANs or network segments from other VMkernels and virtual machines will limit unauthorized users from viewing the traffic.

STIG	Date
VMware vSphere 8.0 vCenter Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-07-11

Details

Check Text ( C-62686r934494_chk )
If IP-based storage is not used, this is not applicable. IP-based storage (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN) VMkernel port groups must be in a dedicated VLAN that can be on a standard or distributed virtual switch that is logically separated from other traffic types. The check for this will be unique per environment. To check a standard switch, do the following: From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> Virtual switches. Select a standard switch. For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and note the VLAN ID associated with each port group. Verify it is dedicated to that purpose and is logically separated from other traffic types. To check a distributed switch, do the following, From the vSphere Client, go to "Networking". Select and expand a distributed switch. For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and navigate to the "Summary" tab. Note the VLAN ID associated with each port group and verify it is dedicated to that purpose and is logically separated from other traffic types. If any IP-based storage networks are not isolated from other traffic types, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-62686r934494_chk )

If IP-based storage is not used, this is not applicable.

IP-based storage (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN) VMkernel port groups must be in a dedicated VLAN that can be on a standard or distributed virtual switch that is logically separated from other traffic types.

The check for this will be unique per environment.

To check a standard switch, do the following:

From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> Virtual switches. Select a standard switch.

For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and note the VLAN ID associated with each port group.

Verify it is dedicated to that purpose and is logically separated from other traffic types.

To check a distributed switch, do the following,

From the vSphere Client, go to "Networking".

Select and expand a distributed switch.

For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and navigate to the "Summary" tab.

Note the VLAN ID associated with each port group and verify it is dedicated to that purpose and is logically separated from other traffic types.

If any IP-based storage networks are not isolated from other traffic types, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-62595r934495_fix)
Configuration of an IP-based VMkernel will be unique to each environment. To configure VLANs and traffic types, do the following: Standard switch: From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> VMkernel adapters. Select the Storage VMkernel (for any IP-based storage). Click "Edit..." and click the "Port properties" tab. Uncheck everything (unless vSAN). Click the "IPv4" settings or "IPv6" settings tab. Enter the appropriate IP address and subnet information. Click "OK". From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> Virtual switches. Select a standard switch. For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and click "...". Click "Edit Settings". On the "Properties" tab, enter the appropriate VLAN ID and click "OK". Distributed switch: From the vSphere Client, go to "Networking". Select a distributed switch >> Configure >> Settings >> Topology. Select the Storage VMkernel (for any IP-based storage). Click "..." and click "Edit Settings". On the "Port properties" tab, uncheck everything (unless vSAN). Click the "IPv4" settings or "IPv6" settings tab. Enter the appropriate IP address and subnet information. Click "OK". From the vSphere Client, go to "Networking". Select and expand a distributed switch. For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and navigate to Configure >> Settings >> Properties. Click "Edit". Click the "VLAN" tab. Enter the appropriate VLAN type and ID and click "OK".

Fix Text (F-62595r934495_fix)

Configuration of an IP-based VMkernel will be unique to each environment.

To configure VLANs and traffic types, do the following:

Standard switch:

From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> VMkernel adapters.

Select the Storage VMkernel (for any IP-based storage). Click "Edit..." and click the "Port properties" tab.

Uncheck everything (unless vSAN).

Click the "IPv4" settings or "IPv6" settings tab.

Enter the appropriate IP address and subnet information.

Click "OK".

From the vSphere Client, select the ESXi host and go to Configure >> Networking >> Virtual switches. Select a standard switch.

For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and click "...". Click "Edit Settings". On the "Properties" tab, enter the appropriate VLAN ID and click "OK".

Distributed switch:

From the vSphere Client, go to "Networking".

Select a distributed switch >> Configure >> Settings >> Topology.

Select the Storage VMkernel (for any IP-based storage). Click "..." and click "Edit Settings".

On the "Port properties" tab, uncheck everything (unless vSAN).

Click the "IPv4" settings or "IPv6" settings tab.

Enter the appropriate IP address and subnet information.

Click "OK".

From the vSphere Client, go to "Networking".

Select and expand a distributed switch.

For each storage port group (iSCSI, NFS, vSAN), select the port group and navigate to Configure >> Settings >> Properties.

Click "Edit".

Click the "VLAN" tab.

Enter the appropriate VLAN type and ID and click "OK".