Securosis

Research

Help Build The Best IPFW Firewall Rules Sets Ever

Updated: See https://securosis.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/ipfw-securosis.txt. I need to completely thank and acknowledge windexh8er for suggesting this post in the comments on the Leopard firewall post, and providing the starting content. In his (or her) own words: So how about everyone constantly complaining about the crap-tastic new implementation of the Leopard firewall we baseline a good IPFW config? Here’s for starters: 00100 allow ip from any to any via lo* 00110 deny ip from 127.0.0.0/8 to any in 00120 deny ip from any to 127.0.0.0/8 in 00500 check-state 00501 deny log ip from any to any frag 00502 deny log tcp from any to any established in 01500 allow udp from 10.100.0.0/24 5353 to any dst-port 1024-65535 in 01700 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 3 01701 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 4 01702 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 8 out 01703 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 0 in 01704 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 11 in 65500 allow tcp from me to any keep-state 65501 allow udp from me to any keep-state 65534 deny log ip from any to any 65535 allow ip from any to any this firewall configuration will do a number of things. First of all line 500 is key to checking the state table before we block any poser incoming connections. Line 502 blocks connections coming in that pretend they were established, but really weren’t. Line 501 is pretty self explanatory, blocking fragmented packets in. I know nothing I’m using is fragmenting, so YMMV. Line 1500 is an example. Since Bonjour services cannot be tracked correctly in the state table we need to allow things back to 5353/UDP on the box (that is if you want to use it). But my example shows that I’m only allowing those services on my local network. Anytime I head to Panera or Starbucks I don’t have to worry about 5353 being ‘open’, unless of course those networks are using 10.100.0.0/24. Most of the time they’re not. But if I noticed that I would disable that rule for the time being. Next we get to ICMP. What do these let us do? ICMP type 3 let’s path MTU in and out (i.e. PMTU – Path MTU Discovery). Many people don’t realize the advantages of PMTU, because they think ICMP is inherently evil. Try doing some performance engineering and PMTU becomes a great resource. Anyway, type 3 is not evil. Next, type 8 is source quench. It will tell my upstream gateway to “slow down” if need be. Again, not evil for the most part. The pros outweigh the cons anyway. Types 8 and 0 rely on each other. 8 lets me ping out and 0 lets that back in. BUT – people will not be able to ping me. Sneaky sneaky The last one, type 11, will let me run traceroute. So now 65500 and 65501 basically let my computer open any port out. In the essence of keeping this ruleset “set it and forget it” style this can be done better. Like specifying everything you need to let out and blocking everything else. But I can’t delve into that for ‘every’ user, so this makes it a little more convenient. 65534 is our deny. Notice all the denies I setup have logging statements. I always have a terminal running tailing my firewall log. Then again, for those who don’t know how to respond maybe just keep that on the down low – you might get sick if you saw all of the traffic hitting your box depending on the network you’re connected to. Rich – you should start a thread for whittling down the best default ruleset for IPFW on Tiger/Leopard and let’s do a writeup on how to implement it Ask and ye shall receive- I’ll be putting together some of my own suggestions, but this is a heck of a great start and I’m having trouble thinking of any good additions right now. Let’s all pile on- once we get consensus I’ll do another post with the results. Share:

Share:
Read Post

Leopard Firewall- Apple Documents And Potentially Good News

Updated: See http://securosis.com/2007/11/15/ipfw-rules/. Thanks to an email from John Baxter via MacInTouch, it looks like Apple posted some documentation on the new firewall that contains some really good news: The Application Firewall does not overrule rule set with ipfw, because ipfw operates on packets at a lower level in the networking stack. If true, this is some seriously good news. It means we can run ipfw rule sets in conjunction with the new firewall. Why would you want to do that? I plan on writing an ipfw rule set that allows file sharing, web, and ssh through and will use the GUI in the application firewall to allow or deny those services I sometimes want to open up without manually changing firewall rule sets. sigh if only I’d known this earlier! I won’t have a chance to test today, so please let me know in the comments if the application firewall overrides your ipfw rule sets. This should help us create the best Leopard ipfw rule set… Share:

Share:
Read Post

Network Security Podcast, Episode 83

Martin returns in this episode as we discuss a bunch of totally unrelated security news, from security camera screen savers to breaking into data centers with movie-style techniques: Show Notes: DIY WiFi antenna reception boosters – I really built a pair of these, and they really do work Masked thieves storm into Chicago colocation (again!) I’m vulnerable to Identity Theft – Thanks a lot HMRC – Fellow security blogger David Whitelegg was a victim of his own government. Vontu purchased by Symantec for $350 million – No link, but I’m sure you’ll get several in your morning security newsletters. SalesForce.com compromised by phishing attacks – Brian Krebs has two very good articles on this (so far) Deconstructing the Fake FTC e-mail virus attack SalesForce.com acknowledges data loss Screensaver displays security cam images SurveillanceSaver Alpha http://www.google.com/search?q=inurl:%22jpg/image.jpg%3Fr%3D%22 WabiSabiLabi founder arrested in Italy Tonight’s music: Reverse Engineering by +nurse Network Security Podcast, Episode 83 Time: 46:52 Share:

Share:
Read Post

Totally Transparent Research is the embodiment of how we work at Securosis. It’s our core operating philosophy, our research policy, and a specific process. We initially developed it to help maintain objectivity while producing licensed research, but its benefits extend to all aspects of our business.

Going beyond Open Source Research, and a far cry from the traditional syndicated research model, we think it’s the best way to produce independent, objective, quality research.

Here’s how it works:

  • Content is developed ‘live’ on the blog. Primary research is generally released in pieces, as a series of posts, so we can digest and integrate feedback, making the end results much stronger than traditional “ivory tower” research.
  • Comments are enabled for posts. All comments are kept except for spam, personal insults of a clearly inflammatory nature, and completely off-topic content that distracts from the discussion. We welcome comments critical of the work, even if somewhat insulting to the authors. Really.
  • Anyone can comment, and no registration is required. Vendors or consultants with a relevant product or offering must properly identify themselves. While their comments won’t be deleted, the writer/moderator will “call out”, identify, and possibly ridicule vendors who fail to do so.
  • Vendors considering licensing the content are welcome to provide feedback, but it must be posted in the comments - just like everyone else. There is no back channel influence on the research findings or posts.
    Analysts must reply to comments and defend the research position, or agree to modify the content.
  • At the end of the post series, the analyst compiles the posts into a paper, presentation, or other delivery vehicle. Public comments/input factors into the research, where appropriate.
  • If the research is distributed as a paper, significant commenters/contributors are acknowledged in the opening of the report. If they did not post their real names, handles used for comments are listed. Commenters do not retain any rights to the report, but their contributions will be recognized.
  • All primary research will be released under a Creative Commons license. The current license is Non-Commercial, Attribution. The analyst, at their discretion, may add a Derivative Works or Share Alike condition.
  • Securosis primary research does not discuss specific vendors or specific products/offerings, unless used to provide context, contrast or to make a point (which is very very rare).
    Although quotes from published primary research (and published primary research only) may be used in press releases, said quotes may never mention a specific vendor, even if the vendor is mentioned in the source report. Securosis must approve any quote to appear in any vendor marketing collateral.
  • Final primary research will be posted on the blog with open comments.
  • Research will be updated periodically to reflect market realities, based on the discretion of the primary analyst. Updated research will be dated and given a version number.
    For research that cannot be developed using this model, such as complex principles or models that are unsuited for a series of blog posts, the content will be chunked up and posted at or before release of the paper to solicit public feedback, and provide an open venue for comments and criticisms.
  • In rare cases Securosis may write papers outside of the primary research agenda, but only if the end result can be non-biased and valuable to the user community to supplement industry-wide efforts or advances. A “Radically Transparent Research” process will be followed in developing these papers, where absolutely all materials are public at all stages of development, including communications (email, call notes).
    Only the free primary research released on our site can be licensed. We will not accept licensing fees on research we charge users to access.
  • All licensed research will be clearly labeled with the licensees. No licensed research will be released without indicating the sources of licensing fees. Again, there will be no back channel influence. We’re open and transparent about our revenue sources.

In essence, we develop all of our research out in the open, and not only seek public comments, but keep those comments indefinitely as a record of the research creation process. If you believe we are biased or not doing our homework, you can call us out on it and it will be there in the record. Our philosophy involves cracking open the research process, and using our readers to eliminate bias and enhance the quality of the work.

On the back end, here’s how we handle this approach with licensees:

  • Licensees may propose paper topics. The topic may be accepted if it is consistent with the Securosis research agenda and goals, but only if it can be covered without bias and will be valuable to the end user community.
  • Analysts produce research according to their own research agendas, and may offer licensing under the same objectivity requirements.
  • The potential licensee will be provided an outline of our research positions and the potential research product so they can determine if it is likely to meet their objectives.
  • Once the licensee agrees, development of the primary research content begins, following the Totally Transparent Research process as outlined above. At this point, there is no money exchanged.
  • Upon completion of the paper, the licensee will receive a release candidate to determine whether the final result still meets their needs.
  • If the content does not meet their needs, the licensee is not required to pay, and the research will be released without licensing or with alternate licensees.
  • Licensees may host and reuse the content for the length of the license (typically one year). This includes placing the content behind a registration process, posting on white paper networks, or translation into other languages. The research will always be hosted at Securosis for free without registration.

Here is the language we currently place in our research project agreements:

Content will be created independently of LICENSEE with no obligations for payment. Once content is complete, LICENSEE will have a 3 day review period to determine if the content meets corporate objectives. If the content is unsuitable, LICENSEE will not be obligated for any payment and Securosis is free to distribute the whitepaper without branding or with alternate licensees, and will not complete any associated webcasts for the declining LICENSEE. Content licensing, webcasts and payment are contingent on the content being acceptable to LICENSEE. This maintains objectivity while limiting the risk to LICENSEE. Securosis maintains all rights to the content and to include Securosis branding in addition to any licensee branding.

Even this process itself is open to criticism. If you have questions or comments, you can email us or comment on the blog.