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vSphere Client plugins must be verified.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-64011 VCWN-06-000035 SV-78501r1_rule Medium
Description
The vCenter Server includes a vSphere Client extensibility framework, which provides the ability to extend the vSphere Client with menu selections or toolbar icons that provide access to vCenter Server add-on components or external, Web-based functionality. vSphere Client plugins or extensions run at the same privilege level as the user. Malicious extensions might masquerade as useful add-ons while compromising the system by stealing credentials or incorrectly configuring the system.
STIG Date
VMware vSphere vCenter Server Version 6 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2017-07-11

Details

Check Text ( C-64763r1_chk )
Verify the vSphere Client used by administrators includes only authorized extensions from trusted sources.

From the vSphere Web Client go to Administration >> Client Plug-Ins. View the Installed/Available Plug-ins list and verify they are all identified as authorized VMware, 3rd party (Partner) and/or site-specific (locally developed and site) approved plug-ins.

If any Installed/Available plug-ins in the viewable list cannot be verified as vSphere Client plug-ins and/or authorized extensions from trusted sources, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-69941r1_fix)
From the vSphere Web Client go to Administration >> Client Plug-Ins and right click the unknown plug-in and click disable then proceed to remove the plug-in.

To remove plug-ins do the following:

If you have vCenter Server in linked mode, perform this procedure on the vCenter Server that is used to install the plug-in initially, then restart the vCenter Server services on the linked vCenter Server.

In a web browser, navigate to http://vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob.

Where vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob is the name of your vCenter Server or its IP address.

Click Content.
Click ExtensionManager.
Select and copy the name of the plug-in you want to remove from the list of values under Properties. For a list of default plug-ins, see the Additional Information section of this article.
Click UnregisterExtension. A new window appears.
Paste the name of the plug-in and click Invoke Method. This removes the plug-in.
Close the window.
Refresh the Managed Object Type:ManagedObjectReference:ExtensionManager window to verify that the plug-in is removed successfully.

Note: If the plug-in still appears, you may have to restart the vSphere Client.
Note: You may have to enable the Managed Object Browser(mob) temporarily if previously disabled.