8.5.2 Ensure hardware-based 3D acceleration is disabled

Information

Due to performance reasons, modern graphic rendering is done within a dedicated graphic processing unit (GPU). Virtual machines can use the host-based GPU for such operations as well. Such dedicated hardware is typically accessed by using complex APIs like OpenGL and DirectX. This hardware-based 3D acceleration should be disabled if it is not needed.

Rationale:

Security flaws within APIs can lead to serious security breaches like memory corruption, denial of service, and remote code execution.

Solution

To disable hardware-based 3D acceleration, run the following PowerCLI command:

# Add the setting to all VMs
Get-VM | New-AdvancedSetting -Name 'mks.enable3d' -value $false

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/8020

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-6, 800-53|CM-7, CSCv7|9.2

Plugin: VMware

Control ID: e6a661e999639a4a515d492c84255e01350d81a533967247217958e6c57de288