7.2 (L1) Virtual machines must require encryption for vMotion

Information

Requiring encryption for vMotion ensures the secure transfer of data among virtual machines. While the default 'opportunistic' encryption setting generally provides encryption due to prevalent AES-NI support, enforcing 'required' encryption eradicates the possibility of unencrypted transfers. The parameter governing this behavior is VM Configuration with the recommended setting being required.

Enforcing encryption for vMotion is crucial to prevent potential data leakage or unauthorized data access during data transfer processes, thereby bolstering the overall security infrastructure.

Solution

The following PowerCLI command may be used:

$VMview = Get-VM -Name $VM | Get-View
$ConfigSpec = New-Object VMware.Vim.VirtualMachineConfigSpec
$ConfigSpec.MigrateEncryption = New-Object VMware.Vim.VirtualMachineConfigSpecEncryptedVMotionModes
$ConfigSpec.MigrateEncryption = "required"
$VMview.ReconfigVM_Task($ConfigSpec)

Impact:

There is no functional impact noted.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/15784

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL, IDENTIFICATION AND AUTHENTICATION, SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|AC-17(2), 800-53|IA-5, 800-53|IA-5(1), 800-53|SC-8, 800-53|SC-8(1), CSCv7|14.4

Plugin: VMware

Control ID: fc6880f1fb9b40da2abf7ace7869322ef4debc2b50d25cf552d28fa114571b1a