The VMM must employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs and guest VMs.

Severity	Group ID	Group Title	Version	Rule ID	Date	STIG Version
medium	V-207475	SRG-OS-000370	SRG-OS-000370-VMM-001460	SV-207475r958808_rule	2024-12-06	2

Description
Utilizing a whitelist provides a configuration management method for allowing the execution of only authorized software and guest VMs. Using only authorized software decreases risk by limiting the number of potential vulnerabilities and by preventing the execution of malware. The organization must identify authorized software programs and permit execution of authorized software. The process used to identify software programs and guest VMs that are authorized to execute on organizational VMMs is commonly referred to as whitelisting. Verification of white-listed software and guest VMs can occur either prior to execution or at system startup.

Description

Utilizing a whitelist provides a configuration management method for allowing the execution of only authorized software and guest VMs. Using only authorized software decreases risk by limiting the number of potential vulnerabilities and by preventing the execution of malware. The organization must identify authorized software programs and permit execution of authorized software. The process used to identify software programs and guest VMs that are authorized to execute on organizational VMMs is commonly referred to as whitelisting. Verification of white-listed software and guest VMs can occur either prior to execution or at system startup.

ℹ️ Check
Verify the VMM employs a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs and guest VMs. If it does not, this is a finding.

✔️ Fix
Configure the VMM to employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs and guest VMs.