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

The ESXi Image Profile and vSphere Installation Bundle (VIB) acceptance level must be verified.

DISA Rule

SV-258746r1015923_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-258746

Group Title

SRG-OS-000366-VMM-001430

Rule Version

ESXI-80-000133

Severity

CAT I

CCI(s)

• CCI-003992 - Prevent the installation of organization-defined software and firmware components without verification that the component has been digitally signed using a certificate that is recognized and approved by the organization.
• CCI-001774 - Employ a deny-all, permit-by-exception policy to allow the execution of authorized software programs on the system.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Security Profile.

Under "Host Image Profile Acceptance Level", click "Edit".

Using the drop-down selection, set the acceptance level as "VMwareCertified", "VMwareAccepted", or "PartnerSupported". The default is "PartnerSupported".

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$arguments = $esxcli.software.acceptance.set.CreateArgs()
$arguments.level = "PartnerSupported"
$esxcli.software.acceptance.set.Invoke($arguments)

Note: "VMwareCertified" or "VMwareAccepted" may be substituted for "PartnerSupported", depending on local requirements. These are case sensitive.

Check Contents

From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Security Profile.

Under "Host Image Profile Acceptance Level" view the acceptance level.

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.software.acceptance.get.Invoke()

If the acceptance level is "CommunitySupported", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-258746

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ESXI-80-000133

Severity Override Guidance

From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters.

Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Security Profile.

Under "Host Image Profile Acceptance Level" view the acceptance level.

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.software.acceptance.get.Invoke()

If the acceptance level is "CommunitySupported", this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5562