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The system must only send NetFlow traffic to authorized collectors.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-63969 VCWN-06-000016 SV-78459r1_rule Medium
Description
The distributed virtual switch can export NetFlow information about traffic crossing the switch. NetFlow exports are not encrypted and can contain information about the virtual network making it easier for a MITM attack to be executed successfully. If NetFlow export is required, verify that all NetFlow target IP's are correct.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere vCenter Server Version 6 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2015-12-09

Details

Check Text ( C-64721r1_chk )
To view NetFlow Collector IPs configured on distributed switches

From the vSphere Web Client go to Networking >> Select a distributed switch >> Manage >> Settings >> NetFlow. View the NetFlow pane and verify any collector IP addresses are valid and in use for troubleshooting.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the vCenter server run the following command:

Get-VDSwitch | select Name,@{N="NetFlowCollectorIPs";E={$_.ExtensionData.config.IpfixConfig.CollectorIpAddress}}

To view if NetFlow is enabled on any distributed port groups

From the vSphere Web Client go to Networking >> Select a distributed port group >> Manage >> Settings >> Policies. Go to Monitoring and view the NetFlow status.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the vCenter server run the following command:

Get-VDPortgroup | Select Name,VirtualSwitch,@{N="NetFlowEnabled";E={$_.Extensiondata.Config.defaultPortConfig.ipfixEnabled.Value}}

If NetFlow is configured and the collector IP is not known and is not enabled temporarily for troubleshooting purposes, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-69899r1_fix)
To remove collector IPs do the following:

From the vSphere Web Client go to Networking >> Select a distributed switch >> Manage >> Settings >> NetFlow. View the NetFlow pane and click edit and remove any unknown collector IPs.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the vCenter server run the following commands:

$dvs = Get-VDSwitch dvswitch | Get-View
ForEach($vs in $dvs){
$spec = New-Object VMware.Vim.VMwareDVSConfigSpec
$spec.configversion = $vs.Config.ConfigVersion
$spec.IpfixConfig = New-Object VMware.Vim.VMwareIpfixConfig
$spec.IpfixConfig.CollectorIpAddress = ""
$spec.IpfixConfig.CollectorPort = "0"
$spec.IpfixConfig.ActiveFlowTimeout = "60"
$spec.IpfixConfig.IdleFlowTimeout = "15"
$spec.IpfixConfig.SamplingRate = "0"
$spec.IpfixConfig.InternalFlowsOnly = $False
$vs.ReconfigureDvs_Task($spec)
}

Note: This will reset the NetFlow collector configuration back to the defaults.

To disable NetFlow on a distributed port group do the following:

From the vSphere Web Client go to Networking >> Select a distributed port group >> Manage >> Settings >> Policies. Go to Monitoring and change NetFlow to disabled.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the vCenter server run the following commands:

$pgs = Get-VDPortgroup | Get-View
ForEach($pg in $pgs){
$spec = New-Object VMware.Vim.DVPortgroupConfigSpec
$spec.configversion = $pg.Config.ConfigVersion
$spec.defaultPortConfig = New-Object VMware.Vim.VMwareDVSPortSetting
$spec.defaultPortConfig.ipfixEnabled = New-Object VMware.Vim.BoolPolicy
$spec.defaultPortConfig.ipfixEnabled.inherited = $false
$spec.defaultPortConfig.ipfixEnabled.value = $false
$pg.ReconfigureDVPortgroup_Task($spec)
}