Full Disclosure mailing list archives
RE: Is a precise spec better?
From: "Bill Royds" <full-disclosure () royds net>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 08:20:04 -0500
The precision that is needed is so that the protocol data can be parsed unambiguously. Some RFC descriptions, even those in widespread use, don't have this precision. An example is RFC 2616 for HTTP/1.1 which describes the URL format fairly precisely, but does not specify exactly what parts of the general URL format are allowed and not allowed, causing the problem of the userinfo@ prefix formerly allowed by Internet Explorer and no removed. One needs to ensure that a simple regular expression can parse the lines of a syslog file, because that is most likely going to be used to analyse the data. Nothing should be allowed that can't be expressed in a regular expression, such as embedded parentheses that have meaning in the data. -----Original Message----- From: full-disclosure-admin () lists netsys com [mailto:full-disclosure-admin () lists netsys com] On Behalf Of Rainer Gerhards Sent: February 24, 2004 6:43 AM To: full-disclosure () lists netsys com; bugtraq () securityfocus com Subject: [Full-disclosure] Is a precise spec better? Hi lists, I am seeking some advise. I am currently writing a what-is-to-become RFC on the syslog protocol (http://www.syslog.cc/ietf/protocol.html). My work is currently in draft status, which essentially means it can be used for discussion but nothing is really fixed yet. I have written quite precise guidelines on what a syslog implementation should do. There are good arguments that this is too precise. I am now trying to get more feedback on the overall design decision. As such, I have summarized things on a web page: http://www.syslog.cc/ietf/why-indepth.html I would appreciate all comments on this topic. As I am posting to security lists, I would especially welcome a discussion if a precise specification can eventually safe us some security trouble - and if the effort is worth it. Many thanks, Rainer _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html
Current thread:
- Is a precise spec better? Rainer Gerhards (Feb 24)
- RE: Is a precise spec better? Bill Royds (Feb 24)