ESXI-80-000199 The ESXi host must protect the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information by isolating IP-based storage traffic.

Information

Virtual machines (VMs) might share virtual switches and VLANs with the IP-based storage configurations. IP-based storage includes vSAN, iSCSI, and NFS. This configuration might expose IP-based storage traffic to unauthorized VM users. IP-based storage frequently is not encrypted. It can be viewed by anyone with access to this network.

To restrict unauthorized users from viewing the IP-based storage traffic, the IP-based storage network must be logically separated from any other traffic. Configuring the IP-based storage adaptors on separate VLANs or network segments from other VMkernels and VMs will limit unauthorized users from viewing the traffic.

NOTE: Nessus has not performed this check. Please review the benchmark to ensure target compliance.

Solution

Configuration of an IP-Based VMkernel will be unique to each environment.

From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> Networking >> VMkernel adapters.

Select the VMkernel used for IP-based storage and click "Edit". On the "Port" properties tab, uncheck all services. Click "OK".

Note: For VMkernels used for vSAN leave the vSAN service enabled and uncheck all others.

From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> Networking >> Virtual switches.

Find the port group that is dedicated to IP-based storage and click the '...' button next to the name. Click "Edit Settings".

On the "Properties" tab, change the "VLAN ID" to one dedicated for IP-based storage traffic. Click "OK".

See Also

https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_VMW_vSphere_8-0_Y24M08_STIG.zip

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-8, CAT|II, CCI|CCI-002418, Rule-ID|SV-258759r958908_rule, STIG-ID|ESXI-80-000199, Vuln-ID|V-258759

Plugin: VMware

Control ID: b5e84f117bcdf3f95a91a3e8d5a1c722f3f143bb6b6306ef87be55e7574a52d4