Information Security News mailing list archives
Re: Who gets your trust? (fwd)
From: mea culpa <jericho () DIMENSIONAL COM>
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 13:25:07 -0700
Reply From: Chris Brenton <cbrenton () sover net>
They just wanted to set up a root account with a different environment. That's not hacking, right? Wrong. Their intention did not matter -- the security of the system has been bypassed.
Hummm, so I guess everyone who has ever setup a dedicated account for performing back-ups is now a hacker, right? ;) I also take issue with the statement "intention did not matter". Intent is everything, otherwise I would consider every user who has accidentally deleted a file a destructive anarchist. There is a big difference between stupidity and malicious intent. Also, where does this author get off making the blanket statement that setting up an alternate account with god rights is bypassing the system security??? I see, its better to have everyone logon at the console as Admin so you have no traceability as to who does what with the account. At least by elevating privileges for an admin's personal account you have some tracability as to what they where doing. In the NT & NetWare world I personally like to completely disable the Admin account so support people are forced to use their own accounts (and thus are tracked and logged). So how is this bypassing security???
This article discusses how administrative privileges can be abused and suggests some methods for countering that abuse.
IMHO this sounds like "you don't have to trust your admins, just use these tools". So who besides the networking staff has the skill set to actually run these tools? Oh ya, and if the Admins have god rights what's to stop them from disabling the tools, humm? Either you trust these people or you do not. If you don't replace them. I know, you can bring in third party consultants to install the tools! Oh wait, how do you know you can trust them either? ;)
It is not meant to imply that every administrator abuses privileges or has malicious intent -- just that you shouldn't assume anything.
I've also seen HR people reviewing 401K statements to estimate an employee's worth and accounting people digging to find out who makes more than they do. What's your point? *Anyone* with access to information or resources is capable of abusing their authority. It has nothing to do with whether they run the network or not. Cheers, Chris -- ************************************** cbrenton () sover net * Multiprotocol Network Design & Troubleshooting http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0782120822/geekspeaknet * Mastering Network Security http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0782123430/geekspeaknet ISN is sponsored by Security-Focus.COM
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