IPsec on ESXi - How to avoid inputting plaintext crypto keys in command line?

SF.express

3/5/23, 4:56 PM

The ESXi's IPsec commands require the encryption/integrity keys be inputted in plaintext from the command line. This is not recommended security practice. The command line history is even logged to /var/log/shell.log.

So how can I hide the keys?

$ esxcli network ip ipsec sa add --help
Usage: esxcli network ip ipsec sa add [cmd options]

Description:
  add                   Add a Security Association.

Cmd options:
  -e|--encryption-algorithm=<str>
                        Encryption algorithm for the Security Association. Should be one
                        in set [null, 3des-cbc, aes128-cbc]. (required)
  -k|--encryption-key=<str>
                        Encryption key(ASCII or hex). Length of hex key is dependent upon
                        algorithm used. Required when a encryption algorithm has been
                        specified.
  -i|--integrity-algorithm=<str>
                        Integrity algorithm for the Security Association. Should be one in
                        set [hmac-sha1, hmac-sha2-256]. (required)
  -K|--integrity-key=<str>
                        Integrity key(ASCII or hex). Length of hex key is dependent upon
                        algorithm used. (required)
  -d|--sa-destination=<str>
                        Ipv6 address of Security Association destination. Can be specified
  [...]

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vmware-esxi

vmware-vsphere

network-security

Elon Musk

I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

EN: IPsec on ESXi - How to avoid inputting plaintext crypto keys in command line?

TH: IPsec บน ESXi - จะหลีกเลี่ยงการป้อนคีย์ crypto ข้อความธรรมดาในบรรทัดคำสั่งได้อย่างไร

RO: IPsec pe ESXi - Cum să evitați introducerea cheilor cripto de text simplu în linia de comandă?

RU: IPsec на ESXi — как избежать ввода криптографических ключей открытого текста в командной строке?

VI: IPsec trên ESXi - Làm cách nào để tránh nhập khóa mật mã văn bản gốc trong dòng lệnh?

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