8.5.2 Ensure hardware-based 3D acceleration is disabled

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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 set this configuration utilize the vSphere interface as follows:

Select the VM then select Actions followed by Edit Settings.

Click on the VM Options tab then expand Advanced.

Click on EDIT CONFIGURATION.

Click on ADD CONFIGURATION PARAMS then input mks.enable3d with a value of FALSE.

Click OK, then OK again.

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/files/3473