Details

If the vCenter installation fails, a log file (with a name of the form ‘hs_err_pidXXXX’) is created that contains the database password in plain text. An attacker who breaks into the vCenter Server could potentially steal this password and access the vCenter Database.

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

Solution

Develop a site policy for handling failed installation cleanup of the Windows host prior to deployment. Using the Windows host search function, determine the existence of any log files of format ‘hs_err_pid and remove them.

Supportive Information

The following resource is also helpful.

• https://dl.dod.cyber.mil/wp-content/uploads/stigs/zip/U_VMW_ESXi5_vCenter_Server_V2R1_STIG.zip

This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Configuration Management.This control applies to the following type of system VMware.

References

• 800-53|CM-6b.
• CAT|II
• CCI|CCI-000366
• Group-ID|V-39554
• Rule-ID|SV-250735r799895_rule
• STIG-ID|VCENTER-000016
• STIG-Legacy|SV-51412
• STIG-Legacy|V-39554
• Vuln-ID|V-250735

Source

• Tenable.com/audits