DNS Hack Needs Patching - Serious Problem

Jul 10, 2008 in Security

This has been kept under wraps by the Operating System and vendors for the last few weeks and now patches have finally been released for many , software applications and devices.
If you provide or rely on DNZ services (external and Internal) you should consider quickly your servers/devices.

Although Internal servers may not be exposed to an , we see many more internal attacks within larger organisations which involve or services being established within the firewalled trusted . As a result, this lifts the level of internal systems/services and therefore the need for effective timely .

Also consider asking the question of your hosting facility, upstream or provider to see if they have patched their servers and forwarders.

http://www.doxpara.com/?p=1162 This link also has a checker.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hwFqcnWAuDWlcqfvfyHu5PGG9RMQ
http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/800113

This is a full list of vendor links
http://www.betanews.com/article/Major_fix_to_DNS_vulnerability_impacts_Windows_Debian/1215551008

Good Luck

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Bluetooth - Security

Mar 24, 2008 in Bluetooth

Redirected from Bluetooth

Source

1
2 Wireless- History
3 Wireless- Technologies
4 - Introduction
5 - Advantages
6 - Applications
7 - Issues
7.1 The
7.2 The
7.3 The BLUEBUG
7.4
7.5 Warnibbling
8 Future of
9 See also:
10 Reference List

is a new that utilises waves as a way to communicate wirelessly between devices. It sets up that incorporate all of a persons devices into one system for both convergence and convenience.

Wireless- History

Many people put the invention of [wireless] down to Guglielmo Marconi, who in 1895 sent the first telegraph across the English Channel. Only twelve years later began being used in the public sphere. [Mathias, p.2] Up until then however, many wireless pioneers conducted trials across lakes where the used to transmit the signal was longer than the distance across the lake. [Brodsky, p. 3] After its introduction the main use of wireless was for military where its first use was for the Boer War. [Flichy, p. 103] The invention of ensured the feasibility of wireless technologies. [Morrow, p. 2] By the 1920s, had become a well-recognised mass medium. [Flichy, p. 111] From the 1980s until now, wireless have been through several stages, from 1G (analogue signal), 2G ( signal) and 3G (always on, faster rate). [Lightman and Rojas, p. 3] The history of is a much more recent one, with the first -enabled products coming into existence in 2000. Named after Harald Blatand the first, king of Denmark around twelve hundred years ago, who joined the Danish and Norwegian kingdoms, is founded on this same unifying principle of being able to unite the computer and telecommunication industr[ies]. [Ganguli, p. 5] In 1994 the Company began looking into the idea of replacing cables connecting accessories to and computers with wireless links, and this became the main inspiration behind . [Morrow, p. 10]

Wireless- Technologies

is not the only wireless currently being developed and utilised. Other wireless technologies, including 802.11b, otherwise known as Wi-Fi, Infrared Association (IrDA), Ultra- Wideband (UWB), and Home RF are being applied to similar technologies that use with mixed results. 802.11 is the most well known , excluding , and uses the same , meaning that they are not compatible as they cause interference with each other. 802.11 is being implemented into universities in the US, Japan and China, as well as food and beverage shops where they are being used to identify students and customers. Even airports have taken up the 802.11 , with airports all over America, and three of Americas most prominent airlines promoting the use of it. [Lightman and Rojas, p. 202-3] Infrared Association is extremely inferior to that of . Its limitations include only being able to communicate point-to-point, needing a line of sight, and it has a speed of fifty- six kilobytes per second, whereas is one megabyte per second. [Ganguli, p. 17] The Ultra- Wideband is superior to that of in that it can transmit at greater lengths (up to 70 metres), with only half of the power that uses. [Ganguli, p.17] HomeRF is a that is not very well known. It is used for and voice communication and targeted for the residential market segment and does not serve - class WLANs, public systems or fixed wireless . [Ganguli, p.17-18]

- Introduction

is a short- range device that replaces cables with low power waves to connect devices, whether they are portable or fixed. The device also uses hopping to ensure a secure, quality link, and it uses ad hoc networks, meaning that it connects peer-to-peer. It can be operated worldwide and without a because it uses the unlicensed Industrial- Scientific Medical (ISM) band for that varies with a change in location. [Ganguli, p. 25-6] The user has the choice of point-to-point or point-to-multipoint links whereby communication can be held between two devices, or up to eight. [Ganguli, p. 96] When devices are communicating with each other they are known as piconets, and each device is designated as a master unit or slave unit, usually depending on who initiates the connection. However, both devices have the potential to be either a master or a slave. [Swaminatha and Elden, p. 49]

- Advantages

There are many advantages to using wireless technologies including the use of a , the inexpensive cost of the device, replacing tedious cable connections, the low power use and implemented measures. The use of an unlicensed ensures that users do not need to gain a license in order to use it. Unlike Infrared which needs to have a line of sight in order to work, waves are omnidirectional and do not need a clear path. The device itself is relatively cheap and easy to use, one can be bought for around ten American dollars, and this price is currently decreasing. Compare this to the expensive cost of implementing hundreds of cables and wires into an office and there is no competition. Of course, this is the main reason for the take -up in -enabled devices; it does away with cables. Another of Bluetooths advantages is its low power use, ensuring that battery operated devices such as and personal assistants wont have their battery life drained with the use of it. This low power consumption also guarantees minimal interruption from other operated and wireless devices that operate at a higher power. has several enabled measures that ensures a level of and , including hopping, whereby the device changes sixteen hundred times per second. Also within the tools are and that guarantee little interference by unauthorised hackers. [Ganguli, p. 330] One of the best advantages of devices, especially the hands free device that connects to a mobile , is that it removes from the brain region. [Tsang, p.1]

- Applications

The applications that are in or current use for the include such areas as automotive, medical, industrial equipment, output equipment, -still cameras, computers, and systems. [Lightman and Rojas, p. 201] is an ad hoc user, and therefore it may be used for social networking, i.e. people can meet and share files or link their devices together to play games or other such activities. [Smyth, p. 70] Using , a mobile can become a three- way , where at home it connects to a landline for cheaper calls, on the move it acts as a mobile and when it comes in contact with another -enabled it acts as a walkie- talkie. This walkie- talkie option allows for free interaction and communication, as is not connected to any telecommunications . [Gupta, p.1] also allows automatic synchronization of your desktop, mobile computer, notebook and your mobile for the user to have all of their managed as one. [Gupta, p.1]

- Issues

has several which range in level of risk and how widespread the action is. These have the ability to provide criminals with sensitive information on both and personal levels. The only way to avoid such is for manufacturers, distributors, and consumers to be provided with more information on how they are committed, current activity and how to combat them. This information can be used on a level for manufacturers, it can be used by distributors at retail levels to teach consumers the risks and it can be used directly by consumers to be aware of the . The outcome of such research will allow end users of products to have an upper hand in this wireless warfare. is in early stages with regards to both the attackers, their techniques and consumers understanding of these attacks. Some research has been conducted into what the attackers are doing and how they do it. Adam Laurie of A.L Ltd http://www.thebunker.net/release-bluestumbler.htm is leading the research race in and is often linked to academic resources. Laurie’s research has uncovered the following capabilities of attacks:

  • Confidential such as the entire book, calender and the ’s IMEI.
  • Complete memory contents of some can be accessed by a previously trusted (”paired”) device that has since been removed from the trusted list.
  • can be gained to the AT command set of the device, giving full to the higher level commands and channels, such as , voice and messaging.

Attacks on devices at this stage are relatively new to consumers, and therefore are not widely seen as a real . Attacks such as the Bluejack are probably more recognised by consumers due to its perceived humorous and novelty nature as well as the ease to Bluejack someone. Users who allow their to be Bluejacked open the door to more attacks, such as the which have a low level of awareness amongst consumers as attackers can attach to the device with out the users knowledge. Corporations are starting to understand the risks devices pose, Michael Ciarochi (in Brewin 2004) stated that ‘ radios were included in laptop PCs that were being configured by an IT Engineer. It raises the possibility of opening a wireless back door into stored on the PCs. Such a weakness would be extremely attractive to hackers. Although invites hackers to such attacks; Venders are playing down the risks, Brewin (2004) said that ‘ advocates last week dismissed growing fears about the short-range wireless , saying any flaws are limited to a few mobile- models. They also detailed steps that users can take to secure devices’. There are many methods of attacks, the , the , Bluebug, Bluejack and Warnibbling are the only recognised attacks at this early stage. Below are explanations of such attacks.

The

It is possible for attackers to connect to the device without alerting the user, once in the system sensitive can be retrieved, such as the book, business cards, images, messages and voice messages.

http://www.salzburgresearch.at/research/gfx/bluesnarf_cebit2004.pdf

Local Copy: BlueSnarf_CeBIT2004.pdf

The

The is a higher concern for users; it allows attackers to establishing a trust relationship through the “pairing” mechanism, but ensuring that the user can not see the target’s register of paired devices. In doing this attackers have to all the on the device, as well as to use the modem or ; WAP and GPRS gateways may be accessed without the owner’s knowledge or consent.

The BLUEBUG

This gives to the AT command set, in other words it allows the attacker to make premium priced calls, allows the use of , or connection the . Attackers can not only use the device for such fraudulent exercises it also allows theft to impersonate the user.

Dibble (2004) explained that ‘Just as was spawned, there’s a new craze that’s spreading across parts of Europe. Reportedly, it’s more prominent in the UK, but popular elsewhere too’. allows attackers to send messages to strangers in public via . When the phones ‘pair’ the attacked can write a message to the user. Although it may seem harmless at first, there is a downside. Once connected the attacker may then have to any on the users device, which has obvious concerns. Powell (2004: 22) explained that ‘Users can refuse any incoming message or , so Bluejackers change their username to a short barb or compliment to beat you to the punch. For example, you might receive along the lines of “Incoming message from: Dude, you’ve been Bluejacked.” Or, “Incoming message from: ROI is overrated.” is regarded as a smaller to as users being attacked are aware they have been Bluejacked. This does not mean however that they are aware that sensitive information is being accessed and used in a malicious manner.

http://www.bluejackq.com/

Warnibbling

Warnibbling is a using Redfang, or similar software that allows hackers to reveal or personal sensitive information. Redfang allows hackers to find devices in the area, once found, the software takes you through the process of accessing any that is stored on that device. Redfang also allows non-discoverable devices to be found. Whitehouse explains when testing Redfang ‘One of the first obstacles we had to overcome was the discovery of non-discoverable devices (it was surprising to see the number of devices that dont by default implement this measure)’. http://www.atstake.com/research/reports/acrobat/atstake_war_nibbling.pdf

Future of

Further information, and somewhat speculation is required for consumers and stakeholders on the future of . Such information will provide a clearer understanding of why of must be improved. Luo and Lee (2004) provide a short term prediction of where is heading, Europe and Asian countries already offer newspapers, subway tickets, and car parking fees via wireless devices. Collins (2003) says that devices ‘appear to be more secure than 802.11 wireless LANs. However, this situation may not last, as the becomes more widespread and attracts greater interest from the community’.

http://www.arraydev.com/commerce/jibc/0402-10.htm

See also:

Reference List

Erin Watson 08:47, 8 Sep 2004 (EST) –nhenzell 12:30, 8 Sep 2004 (EST)

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