The vCenter Server must disable Secure Shell (SSH) access.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium | V-258968 | SRG-APP-000516 | VCSA-80-000303 | SV-258968r1111830_rule | 2025-06-09 | 2 |
Description
vCenter Server is delivered as an appliance and is and intended to be managed through the VAMI, vSphere Client, and APIs. SSH is a troubleshooting and support tool and should only be enabled when necessary.
ℹ️ Check
Open the Virtual Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) by navigating to https://<vCenter server>:5480.
Log in with local operating system administrative credentials or with a Single Sign-On (SSO) account that is a member of the "SystemConfiguration.BashShellAdministrator" group.
Select "Access" on the left navigation pane.
If "SSH Login" is not "Deactivated", this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
Open the Virtual Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) by navigating to https://<vCenter server>:5480.
Log in with local operating system administrative credentials or with a Single Sign-On (SSO) account that is a member of the "SystemConfiguration.BashShellAdministrator" group.
Select "Access" on the left navigation pane.
Click "Edit" then disable "Activate SSH Login" and click "OK".