ESXI-06-100046 - The VMM must synchronize internal information system clocks to the authoritative time source when the time difference is greater than one second.

Information

To assure the accuracy of the system clock, it must be synchronized with an authoritative time source within DoD. Many system functions, including time-based login and activity restrictions, automated reports, system logs, and audit records depend on an accurate system clock. If there is no confidence in the correctness of the system clock, time-based functions may not operate as intended and records may be of diminished value.

Solution

From the vSphere Client select the ESXi Host and go to Configuration >> Time Configuration. Select Properties >> Options and configure the NTP service to start and stop with the host and with authoritative DoD time sources.

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host run the following command:

$NTPServers = 'ntpserver1','ntpserver2'
Get-VMHost | Add-VMHostNTPServer $NTPServers
Get-VMHost | Get-VMHostService | Where {$_.Label -eq 'NTP Daemon'} | Set-VMHostService -Policy On
Get-VMHost | Get-VMHostService | Where {$_.Label -eq 'NTP Daemon'} | Start-VMHostService

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_VMware_vSphere_6-0_ESXi_V1R5_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

References: 800-53|AU-8(1)(b), CAT|II, CCI|CCI-002046, Group-ID|V-63779, Rule-ID|SV-78269r1_rule, STIG-ID|ESXI-06-100046, Vuln-ID|V-63779

Plugin: VMware

Control ID: 729ef4db7a2807dfdc72350013e81e22eae86409df57db06644956e5513944da