On 3/5/11 9:26 AM, Evi1M4chine wrote:

> 
>> If you are so attached to your shell variable that you can't bear to
>> part with it, replace:
> Why that hatred against variables? Maybe you did not mean it like that, 
> but you sound like you think I’m stupid for doing it like this. Without 
> saying why. I still assume you agree that variables are a good idea for 
> clean and structured code (including configuration files). But man, why 
> the passive aggression? If you think I’m wrong: I love to learn 
> something. :)

I agree that the variable is a good thing.

> 
>>      BEGIN SHELL
>>      for type in $GOOD_ICMP_TYPES; do
>>              echo "ACCEPT    z1       z2      icmp     $type"
>>      done
>>      END SHELL
>>
>> That's basically what Shorewall-shell did for you.
> *g* You call that horrible code structure? If a simple loop would cause 
> chaos of horror-proportions, the code wouldn’t be very good to begin 
> with, right? ;)
> I doubt this is the case, because there must already be a loop for port 
> lists, which could do this too (acting as if ICMP types just were ports) 
> elegantly.

Please refer to my follow-on post. The problem with doing it that way is
that the contents of a single column must drive the entire processing of
the rule. There are PORT columns in many of Shorewall's configuration
files so if I implemented the code that way in the compiler, there would
have to be such a loop in the processing of every file with such a column.

> In fact I would have implemented it this way.

You (and I) might have indeed done it that way if your product only had
one file with PORT columns.

> 
>> It is really very obvious -- use multiple rules with one type per rule.
> That is the first thought about the options left, that I had.
> But I refused to call it an option, as it is so deeply wrong. As a 
> programmer, I learned, that if you have to do something over and over 
> again, you automate it. That’s what this machine is for, after all. :)

Again, we are in violent agreement.

> 
>> BUT.... there is really no reason the have explicit rules for 'Good'
>> ICMPs; Shorewall automatically allows necessary ICMP types through, even
>> if they are against the relevant policy.
> 
> I’m sorry but if Shorewall blocks even standard ping *in a high-security 
> vpn inside my own trusted network*, that’s a bit overkill, isn’t it. ;) 
> I understand that on an open net, it is a good idea, and therefore a 
> smart default to block them. But you can’t say that there is no reason 
> at all for ever having a list of good ICMP types. Remember: If you 
> assume your users are idiots, then idiots you will get. ;) So let us 
> decide, and save yourself the work too. :)

ICMP echo-request is a single type; mentioning it in the context of a
discussion of 'good lists' is a bit if a stretch, don't you think?

> (Also, using some other ping like over TCP, until that one gets the same 
> negative connotation as ICMP ping [for no valid reason IMHO], and gets 
> blocked too, is really as pointless as using “colored”, until that one 
> gets the same negative connotation that “black” somehow got, and becomes 
> a taboo too. As someone can just as much check if a host is online with 
> ICMP ping disabled, it becomes mere window-dressing. :)

Well, a single 'ACCEPT all all icmp    8' rule changes the default, right?

> 
> Well, of course you can do what you want with your own software and 
> time. So I guess if I will implement a nice and elegant patch for it 
> myself, and add it to my distro’s package. :)

I believe that the patch included in my follow-on post is quite elegant
:-) Feel free to add it to your distro's package in advance of the
release of 4.4.19.

-Tom
-- 
Tom Eastep        \ When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather who
Shoreline,         \ died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like
Washington, USA     \ all of the passengers in his car
http://shorewall.net \________________________________________________

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