apache / apache/cloudstack

[Hardening] F-03: Recommended Mandatory 2FA Enforcement from the Start.

Open Beginner friendly
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hardening
Dominant language
Java
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Description

### The required feature described as a wish

Image

**Description:** The "Tyranny of Default" principle recommends enabling the global setting `mandate.user.2fa` from the start. Security can always be downgraded later, but most users will simply accept whatever defaults they are given. If `mandate.user.2fa` is not set, 2FA remains ineffective even for those users who have already enrolled.

**Affected Components:** Management UI

**Impact:** Without mandatory enforcement, users may choose not to enroll in 2FA. In environments with regulatory or compliance requirements (e.g., PCI-DSS, SOC 2), the absence of enforced MFA may constitute a compliance gap.

**Steps to Reproduce:**
- Log in to the CloudStack Management UI as a Root Admin.
- Navigate to Configuration > Global Settings.
- Search for `mandate.user.2fa` and confirm the value is False.
- Create a new user account at any permission level.
- Log in as that user and confirm that access is granted without any 2FA prompt.

**Recommended Remediation:** Set `mandate.user.2fa` to True by default. Users will be naturally guided to set up 2FA at first login without friction, and the first impression of the ACS project will reflect a stronger security posture.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start in the CloudStack Management UI's Global Settings and locate the definition of `mandate.user.2fa`. Check how its default is applied and how first-login enforcement is verified; done means a new installation enables the setting by default and a newly created user is prompted for 2FA.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
java
Domain
authentication, security
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
2/5
Estimated time
1-3 hours
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
68/100

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