The vCenter Server must disable Secure Shell (SSH) access.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-258968 | VCSA-80-000303 | SV-258968r1111830_rule | Medium |
| 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. |
| STIG | Date |
| VMware vSphere 8.0 vCenter Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-06-09 |
Details
| Check Text (C-62708r934560_chk) |
| 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 Text (F-62617r934561_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". |