Re: Clueless firewall configuration ?

["PC" <peter () dachangs com>]

The trend seems to be moving towards application based devices blurring the 
lines between routers, switches, firewalls, etc.  After all enough 
horsepower goes into many of the newer devices to accomodate all these 
functions.  Whether it's a router, a switch, a firewall, a load balancer, an 
ids, an ips, it's all really just software modules.  Like someone else said 
this would probably not be a pentest bonanza if set up properly.  On the 
other hand would I feel all warm and fuzzy inside? Not yet anyway. I suppose 
it really isn't very different than having these functions on separate 
physical devices as a misconfiguration anywhere couls lead to a security 
risk.  However my concern lies more in the fact that functions such as MLS 
and others devised to speed up packet processing could potentially cause 
packets to bypass a desired function due to an "undocumented feature" (ie. a 
bug).

Peter


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cableguy clueless" <cluelesscableguy () gmail com>
To: <pen-test () securityfocus com>
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 1:08 PM
Subject: Clueless firewall configuration ?


> Guys, I need to ask a favor, my boss knows nothing of IT
> infrastructure, and our "cableguy" (manages the firewall through a
> third party contract) proposed to him an architecture as  follows :
>
> 2 cisco 6509 each with firewall blade in them. These function as core
> switches for a 1000 users site with lots of vlans and FW roules
> between the vlans (oh and we are a big production site that relies on
> these cores to let our ciritical bussiness process machines
> communicate to the servers).
>
> He wants to create 2 vlans, 1 for untrusted traffic and 1 vlan for DMZ
> machines and assign physical ports to these to connect to the
> internet. The DMZ vlan would also have some physical ports. These
> ports would not be on the core switch but on the access layer switches
> that are fiber attached to the distribution switches that attach to
> the cores...
>
> Does anyone care to comment on the security issues a setup as this
> would pose? would this be pentest bonanza for you guys? and what would
> the hackers make of a dmz vlan living in a big switch together with
> other vlans?
>
> I have some ideas myself, but would appreciate your take on this. I
> know this is the pentest list but it is you guys who get to poke holes
> in these designs...
>
> CCG
>
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This List Sponsored by: Cenzic

Concerned about Web Application Security? 
Why not go with the #1 solution - Cenzic, the only one to win the Analyst's 
Choice Award from eWeek. As attacks through web applications continue to rise, 
you need to proactively protect your applications from hackers. Cenzic has the 
most comprehensive solutions to meet your application security penetration 
testing and vulnerability management needs. You have an option to go with a 
managed service (Cenzic ClickToSecure) or an enterprise software 
(Cenzic Hailstorm). Download FREE whitepaper on how a managed service can 
help you: http://www.cenzic.com/news_events/wpappsec.php 
And, now for a limited time we can do a FREE audit for you to confirm your 
results from other product. Contact us at request () cenzic com for details.
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