Elastic Security Detection Rules

ESXi Lockdown Mode Disabled

Last updated 2 days ago on 2026-09-30
Created 2 days ago on 2026-09-30

About

Detects the disabling of ESXi lockdown mode, a critical security feature that restricts remote access to ESXi hosts. When lockdown mode is disabled, remote users can directly access and modify ESXi host configurations using the root login. When enabled, the ESXi host is accessible only through the local console or vCenter Server.
Tags
Domain: EndpointData Source: VMware vSphereUse Case: Threat DetectionTactic: Defense EvasionRule Type: Custom Query (KQL)Platform: VMware ESXiLanguage: kuery
Severity
high
Risk Score
73
MITRE ATT&CK™

Defense Evasion (TA0005)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

↳ Impair Defenses (T1562)(external, opens in a new tab or window)

False Positive Examples
Administrators disable lockdown mode for a documented maintenance window, then turn it back on. Confirm the change ticket and that lockdown mode is enabled again afterward.
License
Elastic License v2(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Definition

Rule Type
Query (Kibana Query Language)
Integration Pack
Prebuilt Security Detection Rules
Index Patterns
logs-vsphere.log-*
Related Integrations

vsphere(external, opens in a new tab or window)

Query
text code block:
data_stream.dataset:vsphere.log and event.module:vsphere and message:(esx.audit.lockdownmode.disabled or lockdown_mode_exit)

Install detection rules in Elastic Security

Detect ESXi Lockdown Mode Disabled in the Elastic Security detection engine by installing this rule into your Elastic Stack.

To setup this rule, check out the installation guide for Prebuilt Security Detection Rules(external, opens in a new tab or window).