STIGQter: STIG Summary: VMware vSphere 7.0 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 1 Release: 4 Benchmark Date: 02 Apr 2025:

The ESXi host must require TPM-based configuration encryption.

DISA Rule

SV-256446r959010_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-256446

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-VMM-002000

Rule Version

ESXI-70-000094

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000366 - Implement the security configuration settings.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

Ensure the TPM 2.0 chip is enabled in the BIOS and the ESX UI does not show any errors about a present but unavailable TPM.

This setting cannot be configured until the TPM is properly enabled in the BIOS.

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system settings encryption set --mode=TPM

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following commands:

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$arguments = $esxcli.system.settings.encryption.set.CreateArgs()
$arguments.mode = "TPM"
$esxcli.system.settings.encryption.set.Invoke($arguments)

Evacuate the host and gracefully reboot for changes to take effect.

Check Contents

If the ESXi host does not have a compatible TPM, this finding is downgraded to a CAT III.

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system settings encryption get|grep Mode

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following commands:

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.system.settings.encryption.get.invoke() | Select Mode

Expected result:

Mode: TPM

If the output does not match the expected result, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-256446

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ESXI-70-000094

Severity Override Guidance

If the ESXi host does not have a compatible TPM, this finding is downgraded to a CAT III.

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system settings encryption get|grep Mode

or

From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following commands:

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.system.settings.encryption.get.invoke() | Select Mode

Expected result:

Mode: TPM

If the output does not match the expected result, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5518