Penetration Testing mailing list archives
RE: The legal / illegal line?
From: "Craig Wright" <cwright () bdosyd com au>
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 05:49:35 +1100
Hello, In response, first you have confused criminal and illegal, a common error. In response to the analogy, you have committed a trespass when you push the door as well. The implied license to go to the door for a valid purpose is negated the instant that you exceed that license by pushing on the door to see if it is open. It is not a general implied condition that you can test to see if doors are open. This is thus a tort - i.e. illegal. Likewise, scanning without authorisation is illegal. The question of whether it is criminal will vary according to jurisdiction. Either way it is illegal. Being able to take action is a different matter again. Regards, Craig ________________________________ From: listbounce () securityfocus com on behalf of admin Sent: Mon 5/03/2007 10:05 PM To: Barry Fawthrop Cc: pen-test () securityfocus com Subject: Re: The legal / illegal line? -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Barry Fawthrop wrote:
Hi All Curious to hear other views, where does the legal and illegal line stand in doing a pen test on a third party company? Does it start at the IP Address/Port Scanning Stage or after say once access is gained?? very vague I know
Hi Barry, I am new to IT security and new to this list. I could be wrong here but, as far as I am aware scanning for open ports is not illegal. It is akin to walking down a residential street knocking on doors or pushing them to see if they are open. As soon as you enter a system through an open port, just as in the residential street metaphor, you are then committing trespass. The only legal option and this is dependent on the laws of the country in which the target system is located would be to scan for open ports and potential exploits, yet make no attempt to enter the system or leverage those exploits to gain access. Produce a report for the company explaining how you could take control of or pull information from their systems using the results of your legal scan. Any IT manager/leader/security bod should take your report seriously if he is worth his/her salt. Regards Dave -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.2 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFF6/l0BStvyIzJtOARAj19AJ4wk2YJ0iE5y4pgciyUxXpcdYzLmACeM6x2 1/YhnAnrCZ0EP9Rt+ObORUQ= =5eN0 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This List Sponsored by: Cenzic Need to secure your web apps? Cenzic Hailstorm finds vulnerabilities fast. Click the link to buy it, try it or download Hailstorm for FREE. http://www.cenzic.com/products_services/download_hailstorm.php?camp=701600000008bOW ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation in respect of matters arising within those States and Territories of Australia where such legislation exists. DISCLAIMER The information contained in this email and any attachments is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not use or disclose the information. If you have received this email in error, please inform us promptly by reply email or by telephoning +61 2 9286 5555. Please delete the email and destroy any printed copy. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender. You may not rely on this message as advice unless it has been electronically signed by a Partner of BDO or it is subsequently confirmed by letter or fax signed by a Partner of BDO. BDO accepts no liability for any damage caused by this email or its attachments due to viruses, interference, interception, corruption or unauthorised access. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This List Sponsored by: Cenzic Need to secure your web apps? Cenzic Hailstorm finds vulnerabilities fast. Click the link to buy it, try it or download Hailstorm for FREE. http://www.cenzic.com/products_services/download_hailstorm.php?camp=701600000008bOW ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current thread:
- The legal / illegal line? Barry Fawthrop (Mar 04)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Philosophil (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Varun Nair (Mar 27)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? admin (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Security Guy (Mar 05)
- RE: The legal / illegal line? Craig Wright (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Barry Fawthrop (Mar 05)
- RE: The legal / illegal line? McCarty, Eric C. (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Tim Shea (Mar 05)
- RE: The legal / illegal line? Craig Wright (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Dotzero (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Martin Zimmermann (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Chris Travers (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Security Guy (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Philosophil (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? David Swafford (Mar 05)
- Re: The legal / illegal line? Paul Robertson (Mar 05)