STIGQter: STIG Summary: VMware vSphere 8.0 ESXi Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 4 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

The ESXi host Secure Shell (SSH) daemon must use FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules to protect the confidentiality of remote access sessions.

DISA Rule

SV-258732r958408_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-258732

Group Title

SRG-OS-000033-VMM-000140

Rule Version

ESXI-80-000014

Severity

CAT I

CCI(s)

• CCI-000068 - Implement cryptographic mechanisms to protect the confidentiality of remote access sessions.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system security fips140 ssh set -e true

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$arguments = $esxcli.system.security.fips140.ssh.set.CreateArgs()
$arguments.enable = $true
$esxcli.system.security.fips140.ssh.set.Invoke($arguments)

Check Contents

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system security fips140 ssh get

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.system.security.fips140.ssh.get.invoke()

Expected result:

Enabled: true

If the FIPS mode is not enabled for SSH, this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-258732

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ESXI-80-000014

Severity Override Guidance

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system security fips140 ssh get

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.system.security.fips140.ssh.get.invoke()

Expected result:

Enabled: true

If the FIPS mode is not enabled for SSH, this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5562