RE: Firewall and DMZ topology

[ed <ed () well com>]

This is true to an extent. However it is far more likely that someone
will use an exploit on the server in the DMZ than on the firewall its
self. For example:

Lets say you have a linux box running iptables with three NICs as your
firewall. Behind the firewall, in the DMZ you have a web-server running
apache or IIS. Behind the firewall in the 'secure' zone you have your
network (it makes little difference whats running on it).

Whats more likely? That someone finds an exploit to use againt you linux
box which isn't running any services and only forwards packets from one
interface to another (and perhaps runs an IDS also) or that someone will
use a guid 0 expoilt on apache. 

OK so now they own the box in the DMZ, big deal - the damage is
contained, from your DMZ they shouldn't be able to see the rest of the
network, at worst they might sniff the traffic to and from the DMZ, but
they own it anyway so its not as if the sniffed traffic will do them any
good.

Now lets take the two NIC example. If the DMZ is exploited they can now
sniff -all- the traffic between your network and the internet, which is
arguably more valuable than being able to access your network.

If your firewall is well configured then its unlikely to be the weak
point with which to access any part of your network, your DMZ however
is.

On Tue, 2003-06-10 at 19:40, Depp, Dennis M. wrote:
> I'm not sure how a tri-homed firewall can be just as secure as a two
> firewall setup.  Consider this:
>
> Hacker is able to penetrate your firewall and "owns" the box.  In a
> tri-homed firewall, they now have direct access to your internal
> network.  If this had been a two firewall setup, they would have to
> compromise the second box as well.  While this may not be an issue as
> they were already sucessful in owning one firewall, hopefully you have
> your intrusion detection system tuned to a greater degree of sensativity
> in your DMZ.  And you will be able to discover this second attempt.
>
> I do think tri-homed firewalls are a good solution, but they are not as
> secure as a two firewall solution.
>
> Dennis Depp 
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Chris Berry [mailto:compjma () hotmail com] 
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 2:21 PM
> > To: security-basics () securityfocus com
> >
> > > From: "Des Ward" <des.ward () ntlworld com>
> > > The second means that all traffic has to traverse your LAN 
> > to get to the
> > > 'Unprotected' DMZ systems and also could leave your internal 
> > LAN open to
> > > attack.
> >
> > My ASCII drawing didn't come out very well it was supposed to 
> > represent a 
> > tri-homed firewall, which, to the best of my knowledge is 
> > just as secure as 
> > a two firewall setup.
> >
> > Chris Berry
> > compjma () hotmail com
> > Systems Administrator
> > JM Associates
> >
> > "Gold is for the mistress - silver for the maid
> > Copper for the craftsman cunning in his trade.
> > "Good!" said the Baron, sitting in his hall
> > But steel - cold steel is master of them all." -- Rudyard Kipling
> >
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