Re: Disclosure of vulns and its legal aspects...

[Steve Friedl <steve () unixwiz net>]

On Wed, May 30, 2007 at 09:14:39AM +0100, Lee Lawson wrote:
> I would personally create an anoymous email account and send them some
> information stating that you are a penetration tester that 'happened'
> upon a possible security flaw in their website, but because of the
> state of fear that some unenlightened organisations have about this
> type of situation, you wish to remain anonymous at this point.  Then
> explain that if they are open to increasing the security of their
> website, you will gladly analyse the security flaw further and give
> them full disclosure, on the basis that you will be given written
> permission prior to continuing further.

I hardly think that "written permission" granted after what would be
received as an extortion attempt would be valid.

If you are really intent on helping the party that's insecure, then the
only quasi-safe way to do it is to send an anonymous report that has all
the details, shows them how to reproduce the issue themselves, and urge
them to contact their local security experts to have this looked at.

The ONLY CHANCE of having your message being taken seriously is if there
is no question about your motives, and the only way to attempt that is to
remove yourself from the loop once you've sent off the report.  That means
no ongoing contact, no payment, no work. You leave it to them to fix.

Even this is no guarantee - the great majority of unsolicited security
reports is ignored even if presented clearly and with an unambiguous
message disclaiming any personal gain.

It's really just not worth the trouble.

Steve

--- 
Stephen J Friedl | Security Consultant |  UNIX Wizard  |   +1 714 544-6561
www.unixwiz.net  | Tustin, Calif. USA  | Microsoft MVP | steve () unixwiz net