UCF STIG Viewer Logo
Changes are coming to https://stigviewer.com. Take our survey to help us understand your usage and how we can better serve you in the future.
Take Survey

Virtual machines (VMs) must remove unneeded floppy devices.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-258722 VMCH-80-000209 SV-258722r933227_rule Medium
Description
Ensure no device is connected to a virtual machine if it is not required. For example, floppy, serial, and parallel ports are rarely used for virtual machines in a data center environment, and CD/DVD drives are usually connected only temporarily during software installation.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere 8.0 Virtual Machine Security Technical Implementation Guide 2023-10-11

Details

Check Text ( C-62462r933225_chk )
Floppy drives are no longer visible through the vSphere Client and must be done via the Application Programming Interface (API) or PowerCLI.

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

Get-VM | Get-FloppyDrive | Select Parent, Name, ConnectionState

If a virtual machine has a floppy drive connected, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-62371r933226_fix)
Floppy drives are no longer visible through the vSphere Client and must be done via the Application Programming Interface (API) or PowerCLI.

The VM must be powered off to remove a floppy drive.

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

Get-VM "VM Name" | Get-FloppyDrive | Remove-FloppyDrive