7.3.2 Ensure that the vSwitch MAC Address Change policy is set to reject

Information

http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-51/topic/com.vmware.vsphere.networking.doc/GUID-74E2059A-CC5E-4B06-81B5-3881C80E46CE.html

Solution

Using the vSphere Client, connect to the vCenter Server and as administrator-1. Go to 'Home > Inventory > Hosts and clusters'.
2. Select each ESXi host with active virtual switches connected to active VM's requiring
securing.
3. Go to tab 'Configuration > Network > vSwitch(?) > Properties > Ports > vSwitch >
Default Policies > Security'
4. Set 'Mac Address Changes' to 'Reject'.Additionally, perform the following to implement the recommended configuration state
using the ESXi shell-# esxcli network vswitch standard policy security set -v vSwitch2 -m false

Impact-This will prevent VMs from changing their effective MAC address. It will affect applications
that require this functionality. An example of an application like this is Microsoft Clustering,
which requires systems to effectively share a MAC address. This will also affect how a layer
2 bridge will operate. This will also affect applications that require a specific MAC address
for licensing. An exception should be made for the port groups that these applications are
connected to.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/902

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-7(12), CSCv6|9.2

Plugin: VMware

Control ID: fe4a5300ed0cf4763efe1be65c8294ec9258d9dd57582355aeaaeea247d4be7b