Re: Secure host newbie - fun - humm - yup

[Alvin Oga <alvin.sec () Virtual Linux-Consulting com>]

hi ya ranjeet
 
> I'd say that most of the **avoidable** security **problems** are created
> by human beings (and network admins too).
>
> just going over the recent well-publicised and researched breakins:
>
> ftp.gnu.org - known ptrace kernel exploit (but no solution available) -
> TECHNOLOGY + HUMAN (cos admins decided to leave machine running and
> "risk it").
> Linux kernel.org - new CVS pserver exploit - TECHNOLOGY.
> debian - weak password + new rsync exploit + known kernel exploit -
> HUMAN + TECHNOLOGY + HUMAN.
> gentoo - new rsync exploit + known kernel exploit - TECHNOLOGY + HUMAN.
> gnome - known rsync exploit - HUMAN.

good list 

and the sourceforge.net one - httpd running as nobody instead of uniq-id
and passwd

and, our fun folks at MS and all the managers/decision makers that insist
there is no flat tire :-) "its MS... who are you :-) to disagree with MS"

and, i think rsync and passwdless logins are just asking for a chain
reaction of happy hackers  gone to heaven when their "rm -rf ?" gets
merrily propagated to other [automated dumb] boxes
        - until that happens to somebody, i guess its an uphill battle
        to be listed with wireless and vpn breakins that are publicly
        announced and covered and subsquent security changes

and the wish list is i hope they fix openssh/openssl ... its gets uncomfy
when ssh is exploitable

and job security :-)

and ...
c ya
alvin

> (My interpretation:
> TECHNOLOGY - unexpectedly getting a flat tyre while you're driving.
> HUMAN - driving around despite knowing that you have a flat tyre.)
>
> I think this shows that the human factor is almost always present when
> security problems are discovered.
>
> Ranjeet.


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