8.7.1 Disable VMware Tools auto install

Information

When installing VMware tools, it can sometimes require a reboot to finalize the installation.
If you choose the auto install option it will reboot the system without notice if one is
required.

*Rationale*

VMware Tools auto install can initiate an automatic reboot, disabling this option will
prevent tools from being installed automatically and prevent automatic machine reboots.

Solution

To implement the recommended configuration state, run the following PowerCLI
command-# Add the setting to all VMs
Get-VM | New-AdvancedSetting -Name 'isolation.tools.autoInstall.disable' -value $true

Impact-This option disables tools auto install via the hypervisor. It is recommended that VMware
tools installs and upgrades be handled through other means (For example- a devops tool
such as ansible, chef, puppet, or saltstack).

Default Value-The prescribed state is not the default state.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/902

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-7

Plugin: VMware

Control ID: ac6a7964e3ec553813696984e6a9c1b0070db28fa3648264df0d70afe9e58fa6