Penetration Testing mailing list archives

Re: [PEN-TEST] Exploiting sequence number predictability


From: Haroon Meer <meer2 () NU AC ZA>
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 10:05:18 +0200

Hi..

Try...
http://packetstorm.securify.com/docs/infosec/sequence_attacks.txt 
and
http://www.s0d.org/books/www.bitpunk.com/ipext.pdf 

Both give comprehensive detail on TCP Sequence attacks, and how / y they wrk.

Haroon Meer
+27 83 786 6637
Meer2 () nu ac za
 
It took the computing power of three C-64s to fly us to the Moon.
It takes a Pentium to run Windows 95. Something's not right here...



simon () SNOSOFT COM 08/21/00 04:20AM >>>
I am interested in learning more about this subject.  I know nothing about
it and feel that I need to.   Does anyone have any documents that will
explain this to me from ground 0?


At 02:37 PM 8/18/2000 +0200, you wrote:
Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone knew of any tools for exploiting predictable
initial sequence numbers?  I understand the concept, and always see tools
like nmap reporting on the quality of the ISN. But I am wondering how
serious the vulnerability really is.  How easy is it to actually exploit the
weak ISN's?

I've also used tools like hunt, for session hijacking, but that presupposes
knowlege of the sequence numbers on the network, and doesn't really exploit
the predictability aspect.

Are there any tools around that exploit this, or are they mostly limited to
custom tools written for a specific situation?  What level of skill is
required to exploit a TCPWrappered telnet daemon, for example, assuming I
know the username and password, and the exact banner and prompts?

I imagine it is a case of:
1. determine the predictability algorithm (64k rule, or whatever)
2. Craft the packets required to execute the commands desired with the IP
address of a permitted workstation.
(packet 1 : SYN
 packet 2 : ACK xxxxx/username^M
 packet 3 : ACK xxxxy/password^M
 packet 4 : ACK xxxxz/echo > /etc/hosts.deny; echo attacker >>
/etc/hosts.allow; exit^M, or whatever)
 where xxxxx-xxxxz are determined by the ISN, the number of bytes in the
banner and login prompt, password prompt, and welcome banner/motd)

(I can see why the R services are an easier target, cos you avoid all the
variables in the login sequence, and can include your credentials and issue
your command in the (same) second packet sent, I think)

3. Check where the target machine is in its sequence numbers by making a
legit connection to, say echo, or whatever.
4. spam out a flood of packets that cover the range of ISN's based on the
time between the target machine answering the legit connection, and your
crafted packet arriving at the target.

Is this how it works?

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Rogan
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Rogan Dawes
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Enterprise Risk Services
Network & System Quality

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