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 not allow host-based authentication.

DISA Rule

SV-258761r959010_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-258761

Group Title

SRG-OS-000480-VMM-002000

Rule Version

ESXI-80-000202

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000366 - Implement the security configuration settings.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system ssh server config set -k hostbasedauthentication -v no

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$arguments = $esxcli.system.ssh.server.config.set.CreateArgs()
$arguments.keyword = 'hostbasedauthentication'
$arguments.value = 'no'
$esxcli.system.ssh.server.config.set.Invoke($arguments)

Check Contents

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system ssh server config list -k hostbasedauthentication

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.system.ssh.server.config.list.invoke() | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq 'hostbasedauthentication'}

Example result:

hostbasedauthentication no

If "hostbasedauthentication" is not configured to "no", this is a finding.

Vulnerability Number

V-258761

Documentable

False

Rule Version

ESXI-80-000202

Severity Override Guidance

From an ESXi shell, run the following command:

# esxcli system ssh server config list -k hostbasedauthentication

or

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

$esxcli = Get-EsxCli -v2
$esxcli.system.ssh.server.config.list.invoke() | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq 'hostbasedauthentication'}

Example result:

hostbasedauthentication no

If "hostbasedauthentication" is not configured to "no", this is a finding.

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5562