Re: MD5 algorithm considered toxic (and harmful)

[Tim <tim-security () sentinelchicken org>]

> because they perform risk-analysis:
> - what are the threats to my assets?
> - which role does MD5 play there?
> - any subsequent risk then from using it?
> - high priority risk? mitigating controls or risk acceptance?

Don't kid yourself.  Very few businesses in my experience think about
this stuff when they go to use a hash.  Most just use whatever hash
they're used to using.  I rarely see clients actually sitting down and
thinking about what the application of a given hash is and what the
threats are in their specific case. 


> would you be so kind to show me a real-world attack against a VPN
> using MD5 hashing? ...

Assuming there are no real-world attacks against your particular VPN
that uses MD5, does that make it safe for the rest of us in any given
application?  A rather leading question IMO.

tim

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