On Fri, 14 Feb 2003, Illtud Daniel wrote:

> Mike Miller wrote:
> >
> > Here's a simple question:  Why can't VNC server and viewer just use
> > established SSH protocols to communicate?  Incorporate OpenSSH code
> > into the server and PuTTY (or whatever) code into the viewer.  Isn't
> > that workable?
>
> Then what happens when an exploit for OpenSSH is discovered? That's the
> problem with 'incorporating' OpenSSH into VNC, you've then got to keep
> that code in sync with any security fixes to OpenSSH, and that's
> suddenly more of a job.

OK, but I would rather have a VNC with a vulnerable OpenSSH incorporated
than with no SSH at all.  When a security hole was found in OpenSSH a
while back, I was seeing lots of attempts on port 22.  I get almost
nothing, ever, on ports in the 59xx range.  Adding a little encryption
should only improve security, even if it is vulnerable encryption.


> Also, openssh isn't a stand-alone package:
[snip]
> Leaving aside the initscripts, ld, various libcs and libdl, that's
> libcrypto (from openssl for crypto routines, natch) and libz (zlib
> compression).

So it could bloat the code quite a bit?


> Also, *implementing* crypto properly, even if starting from others'
> code, is *damn difficult* - and probably not something you want to be
> dabbling with if it's not your forte.

I'll hope that someone out there has the skills.  I sure don't.


> There are plenty of encrypting windows versions of VNC to be had, but
> unless somebody's got a really good idea about incorporating encryption
> in the RealVNC cross-platform codebase, I'd rather leave it out.

Maybe we'll get lucky and someone will figure it out.  In the meantime,
I'll use portforwarding or I'll live without encryption.

Mike
_______________________________________________
VNC-List mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.realvnc.com/mailman/listinfo/vnc-list

Reply via email to