Securosis

Research

First Leopard Update Is Out- Some Of Firewall Fixed; Skype Works

Apple just released an update to Leopard, version 10.5.1. The support document says the following: Addresses a code signing issue; third-party applications can now run when included in the Application Firewall or when whitelisted in Parental Controls. In Security preferences’ Firewall tab, the “Block All” option is now called “Allow Only essential services” Well, I suppose that’s some kind of progress. At least it’s labelled accurately. I’ve been really slammed this week, but Chris and I should have the instructions for using WaterRoof in combination with our template ipfw rule set and the Application Firewall soon (hopefully today). I’ve tested the update and the application firewall still signs applications, but instead of just failing to launch modified applications, we’re now prompted to allow access manually again if they change. Code signing can be rough because of issues like this, and I think the prompt is a reasonable solution. However, I would prefer it to say, “This application has been modified since its last use; please click to allow network access” so we know that it’s a real change to the application and not just a random prompt to approve again. In a separate document, Apple details some additional security updates to the application firewall. Most notably, the firewall will now block processes running as root if you specify them in the application firewall. Based on these updates I’m now running the application firewall with ipfw, and will try and get those instructions posted soon. Not that any of this matters much since there are no network attacks on Macs in the wild right now, but we all know that can’t last… Share:

Share:
Read Post

Network Security Podcast- Latest Episode Up And A New Site

While I was off traveling, Martin posted the latest episode of the Network Security Podcast. Rather than posting the show notes here, I’d like to redirect you to our new site: NetSecPodcast.com. This is where we’ll be posting all the show notes, taking feedback on episodes, and posting any content and updates directly related to the show. This week we covered a few quick issues, then we spent 10 minutes playing Mystery Science Theater on Martin’s very first episode. Oh, I didn’t mention this is the 2 year anniversary of the show? Congrats Martin, and thanks for bringing me on- hopefully I’m not dragging the show down too fast… Share:

Share:
Read Post

Upcoming Speaking Events: SANS DLP and Encryption in December

I’ve been invited to give the keynotes at both the SANS Data Leakage Summit and the Mobile Encryption Summit. Both are at the Dolphin hotel at Disney in Orlando. The DLP event is on December 3rd and 4th, and the encryption event on the 5th and 6th. Here’s my affiliate link to SANS if you’re interested in the events. At the DLP event I’ll be presenting Three Steps To Selecting A DLP Product And The Top Five Features To Look For. I’ll also be releasing Understanding And Selecting A Data Loss Prevention Solution as a white paper, which will also be distributed online by SANS and sponsored by Websense. Over at the encryption event I’m presenting Understanding and Preventing Data Breaches. It’s a general presentation, not specific to just encryption. These conferences are designed for those in the planning or implementation phases for DLP or mobile encryption. There are a couple of presentations like mine, but most of the event is panels with users with real experience using the products. As a preview, here’s a QuickTime movie of the DLP pitch’s opening. I hope to see you there… Share:

Share:
Read Post

ipfw Rules, 2007/11/15 revision

Rules revised. As suggested by windexh8er, here’s a set of ipfw rules to customize for your own Macs or FreeBSD systems. Note that your private home network should have a non-standard IP range, both to support VPN across standard IP ranges, and for improved security, so your personal allow rules don’t match other networks you may find yourself wandering through. The rules are below, but you’ll probably have an easier time if you download the rule file from http://securosis.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/ipfw-securosis.txt. In WaterRoof, you can import these rules with “Tools > Rules Configuration > Import rules from file..”. To check your ipfw rules, use “sudo ipfw list”. When you’re satisfied with your rules, install them for future reboots with “Tools > Rules Configuration > Save to startup configuration” and “Tools > Startup Script > Install Startup Script”. # DO NOT USE THESE RULES without customizing them first! # Version: 2007/11/15 # For more information, see http://securosis.com/2007/11/15/ipfw-rules/ # These rules *MUST* be customized to your requirements. # In particular, if you have a private home network (behind an AirPort # Base Station, Linksys WRT54G, etc.), change “10.42.24.0/24” below to # your private network range. # Additionally, allow only ports you actually use; other ports should be # blocked by the ipfw firewall. # Thanks to: # Rich Mogull http://securosis.com # windexh8er: http://www.slash32.com/ # Lee: http://thnetos.wordpress.com/ # Chris Pepper http://www.extrapepperoni.com/ # Apple (Server Admin is a good way to create an ipfw ruleset) # http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/ # FreeBSD (where Apple got ipfw) http://www.freebsd.org/ # We don’t really want this, but it’s unavoidable on Mac OS X Server, so # document it here (serialnumberd) # 100 allow udp from any 626 to any dst-port 626 # Let me talk to myself over the loopback add 200 allow ip from any to any via lo0 # Loopback addresses on non-loopback interfaces are bogus add 300 deny log logamount 1000 ip from any to 127.0.0.0/8 add 310 deny log logamount 1000 ip from 224.0.0.0/4 to any in # Block multicast if you don’t use it # add 400 deny log ip from 224.0.0.0/4 to any in # Accept responses to my client programs add 500 check-state # If we let the conversation begin, let it continue add 600 allow tcp from any to any established # Let my programs get out. add 700 allow tcp from any to any out keep-state add 710 allow udp from any to any out keep-state # Change this to DENY fragments if you don’t need them. add 800 allow udp from any to any in frag # Block bogus inbounds that claim they were established # add 900 deny log tcp from any to any established in # add 1000 allow icmp from 10.9.7.0/24 to any icmptypes 8 # Server Admin provides these by default add 1100 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 0 add 1110 allow igmp from any to any # mDNS (Bonjour) from trusted local networks (fill in your own, # preferably non-standard, networks after ‘from’) # For Back to My Mac, you might need this from ‘any’ # add 5000 allow udp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 5353 # add 5010 allow udp from 10.42.24.0/24 5353 to any dst-port 1024-65535 in # DNS (note TCP is required, but this one should scare you — much # better to only allow packets from your trusted nameservers, if you # always use the same ones) add 5100 allow tcp from any to any dst-port 53 add 5110 allow udp from any to any dst-port 53 add 5120 allow tcp from any to any dst-port 53 out keep-state add 5130 allow udp from any to any dst-port 53 out keep-state # ssh add 5200 allow tcp from any to any dst-port 22 # iTunes music sharing #add 5300 allow tcp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 3689 # AFP #add 5400 allow tcp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 548 # HTTP (Apache); HTTPS # add 5500 allow tcp from any to any dst-port 80 # add 5510 allow tcp from any to any dst-port 443 # L2TP VPN # add 5600 allow udp from any to any dst-port 1701 # add 5610 allow esp from any to any # add 5620 allow udp from any to any dst-port 500 # add 5630 allow udp from any to any dst-port 4500 # iChat: local #add 5700 allow tcp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 5298 #add 5710 allow udp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 5298 #add 5720 allow udp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 5297,5678 # Server Admin SSL (Mac OS X Server only) # add 5800 allow tcp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 311 # add 5810 allow tcp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 427 # add 5820 allow udp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 427 # syslog # add 5900 allow udp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 514 # ipp (CUPS printing) # add 6000 allow tcp from 10.42.24.0/24 to any dst-port 631 # MTU discovery add 10000 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 3 # Source quench add 10100 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 4 # Ping out; accept ping answers add 10200 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 8 out add 10210 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 0 in # Allow me to traceroute add 10300 allow icmp from any to any icmptypes 11 in # My default policy: log and drop anything that hasn’t matched an allow # rule above add 65534 deny log logamount 1000 ip from any to any # Hard-coded default allow rule (compiled into Darwin kernel) add 65535 allow ip from any to any Share:

Share:
Read Post
dinosaur-sidebar

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.