The ESXi host must enforce an unlock timeout of 15 minutes after a user account is locked out.

Severity
Group ID
Group Title
Version
Rule ID
Date
STIG Version
mediumV-258742SRG-OS-000329-VMM-001180ESXI-80-000111SV-258742r933287_rule2023-10-111
Description
By enforcing a reasonable unlock timeout after multiple failed logon attempts, the risk of unauthorized access via user password guessing, otherwise known as brute forcing, is reduced. Users must wait for the timeout period to elapse before subsequent logon attempts are allowed.
ℹ️ Check
From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters. Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings. Select the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" value and verify it is set to less than "900" and not "0". or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following command: Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.AccountUnlockTime If the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" setting is less than 900 or 0, this is a finding.
✔️ Fix
From the vSphere Client, go to Hosts and Clusters. Select the ESXi Host >> Configure >> System >> Advanced System Settings. Click "Edit". Select the "Security.AccountUnlockTime" value and configure it to "900". or From a PowerCLI command prompt while connected to the ESXi host, run the following command: Get-VMHost | Get-AdvancedSetting -Name Security.AccountUnlockTime | Set-AdvancedSetting -Value 900