IBM Hardware Management Console (HMC) STIG

The ESCD Application Console is used to add, change, and delete port configurations and to dynamically switch paths between devices. Access to the ESCD Application Console is restricted to three classes of personnel: Administrators, service representatives and operators. The administrator sign-on controls passwords at all levels, the service representative sign-on allows access to maintenance procedures, and the operator sign-on allows for configuration changes and use of the Director utilities. Unrestricted use by unauthorized personnel could impact the integrity of the environment. This would result in a loss of secure operations and impact data operating environment integrity. NOTE: Many newer installations no longer support the ESCD Application Console. For installations not supporting the ESCD Application Console, this check is not applicable.

The DCAF Console enables an operator to access the ESCON Director Application remotely. Access to a DCAF Console by unauthorized personnel could result in varying of ESCON Directors online or offline and applying configuration changes. Unrestricted use by unauthorized personnel could lead to bypass of security, unlimited access to the system, and an altering of the environment. This would result in a loss of secure operations and will impact data operating integrity of the environment. NOTE: Many newer installations no longer support the ESCON Director Application. For installations not supporting the ESCON Director Application, this check is not applicable.

Dial-out access from the Hardware Management Console could impact the integrity of the environment, by enabling the possible introduction of spyware or other malicious code. It is important to note that it should be properly configured to only go to an authorized vendor site. Note: This feature will be activated for Non-Classified Systems only. Also, many newer processors (e.g., zEC12/zBC12 processors) will not have modems. If there is no modem, this check is not applicable.

Automatic Call Answering to the Hardware Management Console allows unrestricted access by unauthorized personnel and could lead to a bypass of security, access to the system, and an altering of the environment. This would result in a loss of secure operations and impact the integrity of the operating environment, files, and programs. Note: Dial-in access to the Hardware Management Console is prohibited. Also, many newer processors (e.g., zEC12/zBC12 processors) will not have modems. If there is no modem, this check is not applicable.

The changing of passwords from the HMC default values, blocks malicious users with knowledge of these default passwords, from creating a denial of service or from reconfiguring the HMC topology leading to a compromise of sensitive data. The system administrator will ensure that the manufacturer’s default passwords are changed for all HMC management software.

Without identification and authentication, unauthorized users could reconfigure the Hardware Management Console or disrupt its operation by logging in to the system or application and execute unauthorized commands. The System Administrator will ensure individual user accounts with passwords are set up and maintained for the Hardware Management Console.

Expiration Day(s) specifies the maximum number of days that each user's password is valid. When a user logs on to the Hardware Management Console it compares the system password interval value specified in the user profile and it uses the lower of the two values to determine if the user's, password has expired. The improper setting of any of these fields, individually or in combination with another, can compromise the security of the processing environment.

In accordance with DoDI 8500.2 for DoD information systems processing sensitive information and above and CJCSI 6510.01E (INFORMATION ASSURANCE (IA) AND COMPUTER NETWORK DEFENSE (CND)).. The following recommendations concerning password requirements are mandatory and apply equally to both classified and unclassified systems: (1) Passwords are to be fourteen (14) characters. (2) Passwords are to be a mix of upper and lower-case alphabetic, numeric, and special characters, including at least one of each. Special characters include the national characters (i.e., @, #, and $) and other non-alphabetic and non-numeric characters typically found on a keyboard. The improper setting of any of these fields, individually or in combination with another, can compromise the security of the processing environment. In addition, failure to establish standardized settings for the Hardware Management Console control options introduces the possibility of exposure during the migration process or contingency plan activation.

Failure to display the required DoD logon banner prior to a login attempt may void legal proceedings resulting from unauthorized access to system resources and may leave the SA, IAO, IAM, and Installation Commander open to legal proceedings for not advising users that keystrokes are being audited.

The Hardware Management Console has the ability to backup and display the following data: 1) Critical console data 2) Critical hard disk information 3) Backup of critical CPC data and 4) Security Logs. Failure to backup and archive the listed data could make auditing of system incidents and history unavailable and could impact recovery for failed components.

The running of unauthorized Logical Partitions (LPARs) could allow a "Trojan horse" version of the operating environment to be introduced into the system complex. This could impact the integrity of the system complex and the confidentiality of the data that resides in it.

Unrestricted control over the issuing of system commands by a Logical Partition could result in unauthorized data access and inadvertent updates. This could result in severe damage to system resources.

Allowing unrestricted access to all Logical Partition data could result in the possibility of unauthorized access and updating of data. This could also impact the integrity of the processing environment.

This feature will not be activated for any classified systems. Allowing dial-out access from the Hardware Management Console could impact the integrity of the environment by enabling the possible introduction of spyware or other malicious code.

Access to the HMC if not properly controlled and restricted by assigning users proper roles and responsibilities, could allow modification to areas outside the need-to-know and abilities of the individual resulting in a bypass of security and an altering of the environment. This would result in a loss of secure operations and can cause an impact to data operating environment integrity.

The Hardware Management Console has a built-in feature that allows Product Engineers access to the console. With access authority, IBM Product Engineering can log on the Hardware Management Console with an exclusive user identification (ID) that provides tasks and operations for problem determination. Product Engineering access is provided by a reserved password and permanent user ID. You cannot view, discard, or change the password and user ID, but you can control their use for accessing the Hardware Management Console. User IDs and passwords that are hard-coded and cannot be modified are a violation of NIST 800-53 and multiple other compliance regulations. Failure to disable this access would allow unauthorized access and could lead to security violations on the HMC.

The Maximum failed attempts before disable delay is not set to 3. This specifies the number of consecutive incorrect password attempts the Hardware Management Console allows as 3 times, before setting a 60-minute delay to attempt to retry the password. The improper setting of any of these fields, individually or in combination with another, can compromise the security of the processing environment. Note: The Hardware Management Console does not allow a revoke of a user ID.A 60-minute delay time setting is being substituted.