ESXi hosts using Host Profiles and/or Auto Deploy must use the vSphere Authentication Proxy to protect passwords when adding themselves to Active Directory.
An XCCDF Rule
Description
If a host is configured to join an Active Directory domain using Host Profiles and/or Auto Deploy, the Active Directory credentials are saved in the profile and are transmitted over the network. To avoid having to save Active Directory credentials in the Host Profile and to avoid transmitting Active Directory credentials over the network, use the vSphere Authentication Proxy.
- ID
- SV-256403r958482_rule
- Version
- ESXI-70-000038
- Severity
- Medium
- References
- Updated
Remediation Templates
A Manual Procedure
From the vSphere Client, go to Home >> Policies and Profiles >> Host Profiles.
Click a Host Profile >> Configure >> Security and Services >> Security Settings >> Authentication Configuration >> Active Directory Configuration.
Click "Edit Host Profile...". Set the "Join Domain Method" to "Use vSphere Authentication Proxy to add the host to domain" and provide the IP address of the vSphere Authentication Proxy server.
Click "Save".