[SC-L] On exploits, hubris, and software security
Hi all, We all know that there is nothing more powerful for causing software security change than a flashy exploit demonstration. Once again, this has come to the fore in the actions of an IU student who took a well known boarding pass vulnerability and wrote a script to make it real. Just after that, a Congressman called for his arrest and the FBI/TSA showed up at his house with a search warrant and took away his machines. My latest darkreading article is about the situation: http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=109717WT.svl=tease3_2 The main thing I wonder is, what do you think? When you have a hot demonstration of an exploit, how do you responsibly release it? What role do such demonstrations play in moving software security forward? gem company www.cigital.com podcast www.cigital.com/silverbullet book www.swsec.com This electronic message transmission contains information that may be confidential or privileged. The information contained herein is intended solely for the recipient and use by any other party is not authorized. If you are not the intended recipient (or otherwise authorized to receive this message by the intended recipient), any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of the information is prohibited. If you have received this electronic message transmission in error, please contact the sender by reply email and delete all copies of this message. Cigital, Inc. accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage resulting directly or indirectly from the use of this email or its contents. Thank You. ___ Secure Coding mailing list (SC-L) SC-L@securecoding.org List information, subscriptions, etc - http://krvw.com/mailman/listinfo/sc-l List charter available at - http://www.securecoding.org/list/charter.php
Re: [SC-L] On exploits, hubris, and software security
Gary McGraw [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: The main thing I wonder is, what do you think? When you have a hot demonstration of an exploit, how do you responsibly release it? This isn't so much about that, in the usual sense. This was, as you say, a well-known vulnerability, one screamingly obvious to anybody who bothered to think about how to get around the No-Fly List. Bruce Schneier wrote about it on his blog long ago, as did many others. What role do such demonstrations play in moving software security forward? It could help dramatically. Not so much because of the demo itself, which will of course be ignored by the Powers that Be, but the publicity around it. That might possibly eventually make enough of a dent in the public consciousness, to wake them up to the fact that what the PTBs have been doing is almost all just security THEATER. However, it depends how much the media gives background. Unfortunately, even a brief blurb like this flaw in the No-Fly List concept has been well known for several years is unlikely to be aired or printed, since it takes valuable time/space away from the latest scandals of skanky socialites and other such much more important news. Without this little bit of trivia, the sheeple will just ass-u-me that the demo-giver was, as the PTBs will insinuate, a malefactor in league with $ENEMY[$YEAR], and deserves to be shipped off to the Git-lag. -Dave -- Dave Aronson Specialization is for insects. -Heinlein Work: http://www.davearonson.com/ Play: http://www.davearonson.net/ ___ Secure Coding mailing list (SC-L) SC-L@securecoding.org List information, subscriptions, etc - http://krvw.com/mailman/listinfo/sc-l List charter available at - http://www.securecoding.org/list/charter.php
Re: [SC-L] On exploits, hubris, and software security
Gary McGraw wrote: The main thing I wonder is, what do you think? When you have a hot demonstration of an exploit, how do you responsibly release it? What role do such demonstrations play in moving software security forward? To pick one extreme, I believe there are times when intentionally blindsiding a vendor is appropriate: http://ryanlrussell.blogspot.com/2006/11/you-want-mac-wireless-bugs.html BB ___ Secure Coding mailing list (SC-L) SC-L@securecoding.org List information, subscriptions, etc - http://krvw.com/mailman/listinfo/sc-l List charter available at - http://www.securecoding.org/list/charter.php
