Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: FDE and integrity of OS Was: How to Test HDD Encryption
From: "Craig Wright" <Craig.Wright () bdo com au>
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:37:32 +1100
No programme - it is turned off. With physical access you could install a customised BIOS chip reprogramed for this. The issue of cost is likely to affect this decision. What is needed to reflash the BIOS will vary with the brand of chip - but an EPROM writer and related software and a very good knowledge of the BIOS code will do it. Regards, Craig Wright (GSE-Compliance) Craig Wright Manager of Information Systems Direct : +61 2 9286 5497 Craig.Wright () bdo com au +61 417 683 914 BDO Kendalls (NSW) Level 19, 2 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 GPO BOX 2551 Sydney NSW 2001 Fax +61 2 9993 9497 www.bdo.com.au Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation in respect of matters arising within those States and Territories of Australia where such legislation exists. The information in this email and any attachments is confidential. If you are not the named addressee you must not read, print, copy, distribute, or use in any way this transmission or any information it contains. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by return email, destroy all copies and delete it from your system. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and not necessarily endorsed by BDO Kendalls. You may not rely on this message as advice unless subsequently confirmed by fax or letter signed by a Partner or Director of BDO Kendalls. It is your responsibility to scan this communication and any files attached for computer viruses and other defects. BDO Kendalls does not accept liability for any loss or damage however caused which may result from this communication or any files attached. A full version of the BDO Kendalls disclaimer, and our Privacy statement, can be found on the BDO Kendalls website at http://www.bdo.com.au or by emailing administrator () bdo com au. BDO Kendalls is a national association of separate partnerships and entities. ________________________________ From: listbounce () securityfocus com on behalf of Mike Hale Sent: Thu 15/11/2007 3:26 AM To: Alexander Klimov Cc: security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: Re: FDE and integrity of OS Was: How to Test HDD Encryption "attacker who has temporary physical access to your computer (while it is switched off) changes the system so that attacker's software loads first (the attacker changes boot-sector or reflash BIOS)" Do you have an example of a program that can do this? On 11/14/07, Alexander Klimov <alserkli () inbox ru> wrote:
On Tue, 13 Nov 2007, Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers wrote:But isn't FDE primarily targeted at protecting data from lost or stolen systems? A bit over 40% of data breaches are due to lost or stolen devices.That's its primary use. However, FDE also protects the integrity of the operating system while the computer is not running.FDE can make tampering with your OS slightly harder but it does not protect OS integrity in any strong sense. Consider the following example (inspired by `Vbootkit' and `Blue Pill'): attacker who has temporary physical access to your computer (while it is switched off) changes the system so that attacker's software loads first (the attacker changes boot-sector or reflash BIOS), this software loads the rest of the system in a virtual environment. For the user the system looks exactly the same as it was (e.g., the system asks for password or a smart card and decrypts the OS), but in reality the attacker has complete control. -- Regards, ASK
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Current thread:
- RE: How to Test HDD Encryption, (continued)
- RE: How to Test HDD Encryption jfvanmeter (Nov 13)
- RE: How to Test HDD Encryption Eric White (Nov 13)
- Re: How to Test HDD Encryption Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Nov 13)
- RE: How to Test HDD Encryption jfvanmeter (Nov 13)
- Re: How to Test HDD Encryption Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Nov 13)
- RE: How to Test HDD Encryption Eric White (Nov 13)
- Re: RE: How to Test HDD Encryption jim . lehman (Nov 13)
- Re: RE: How to Test HDD Encryption Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Nov 13)
- FDE and integrity of OS Was: How to Test HDD Encryption Alexander Klimov (Nov 14)
- Re: FDE and integrity of OS Was: How to Test HDD Encryption Mike Hale (Nov 14)
- RE: FDE and integrity of OS Was: How to Test HDD Encryption Craig Wright (Nov 14)
- Re: FDE and integrity of OS Was: How to Test HDD Encryption Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Nov 14)
- Re: RE: How to Test HDD Encryption Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Nov 13)
- RE: How to Test HDD Encryption jfvanmeter (Nov 13)
- RE: How to Test HDD Encryption Eric White (Nov 14)
- Re: How to Test HDD Encryption Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Nov 14)
- Re: How to Test HDD Encryption Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Nov 14)