RE: RPC over HTTP security

["Depp, Dennis M." <deppdm () ornl gov>]

Why is this better than RPC over HTTP?  I also have VPN setup.  However,
being able to access Outlook without having to fireup a VPN is very
nice.  Particularly if I want to quickly download my mail before going
on a trip or attending a meeting.

Why do you feel VPN is more secure than RPC over HTTP?

Dennis 

-----Original Message-----
From: Shawn Wall [mailto:sjwall () shaw ca] 
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 4:12 PM
To: Depp, Dennis M.; 'Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers';
security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: RPC over HTTP security

I think your best option is to use a VPN to allow your mobile users
access to email if they require the functionality of Outlook vs OWA.
I've deployed this configuration using a PIX and Cisco VPN client. Works
very well.

shawn 

-----Original Message-----
From: Depp, Dennis M. [mailto:deppdm () ornl gov]
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 6:19 AM
To: Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers; security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: RPC over HTTP security

Ansgar,

Answers to your questions.

1)  Because the functionality of RPC over HTTP(S) is a great benefit to
mobile users.
2)  It doesn't.  However, by "bloating" the protocol so it will work
over HTTP, I have also "bloated" the protocol to allow it to work over
HTTPS.
This allows me to secure the traffic.

Lets now look at RPC.  What are the major vulnerabilities of RPC?  RPC
does not authenticate prior to allowing the connection to proceed.  Many
of the RPC vulnerabilities would be neutered if RPC was force to
authenticate prior to making the connection.  RPC over HTTP solves this
problem by forcing authentication.  When I add HTTPS to this senario, I
have secured my credentials while they are in an untrusted environment
and provided authentication prior to allowing RPC to proceed.  The RPC
traffic is also passed through the SSL tunnel providing end-to-end
security.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers [mailto:bugtraq () planetcobalt net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 8:22 PM
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: RPC over HTTP security

On 2005-01-26 sf_mail_sbm () yahoo com wrote:
> We are thinking about deploying RPC over HTTP to access email from the

> Internet

Ask yourself two questions:

1. Why does nobody in his right mind do RPC over untrusted networks?
2. How does bloating a protocol by encapsulating it in plain-text make
   it any better?

Regards
Ansgar Wiechers
--
"Those who would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserve
neither liberty nor safety, and will lose both."
--Benjamin Franklin