Re: OpenSSH security advisory: cbc.adv
On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 03:19:03AM -0700, Damien Miller wrote:
> OpenSSH Security Advisory: cbc.adv
>
> Regarding the "Plaintext Recovery Attack Against SSH" reported as
> CPNI-957037[1]:
>
> The OpenSSH team has been made aware of an attack against the SSH
> protocol version 2 by researchers at the University of London.
> Unfortunately, due to the report lacking any detailed technical
> description of the attack and CPNI's unwillingness to share necessary
> information, we are unable to properly assess its impact.
It is really sad researchers are prevented to share details with
developers by some lame institute. The OpenSSH developers were asked to
undersign the document below. Apart from asking to be cited as the
discoverer of a vulnerability, I would say that "you will only get
details if you do X" is a form of blackmail.
So the result is that the developers of the main implementation of the
SSH protocol are without the details of the vulnerability, all in the
cause of "protecting national security".
-Otto
=============================================================================
Centre for the Protection of National
Infrastructure
Framework for Vulnerability Information
Sharing
Introduction
CPNI was formed from the merger of the National Infrastructure
Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) and the National Security
Advice Centre (NSAC).
CPNI provides integrated security advice (combining information,
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relationship is reinforced on a regular basis by the provision of various
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This Framework is intended to help CPNI and commercial organisations
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The Traffic Light Protocol
CPNI has agreed a labelling mechanism known as the "Traffic Light
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The four information sharing levels are:
# RED - Personal for named recipients only. In the context of a
meeting, for example, RED information is limited to those
present. In most circumstances RED information will be passed
verbally or in person.
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circulated widely within a particular community. However, the
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information may be distributed freely, without restriction.
Framework for the exchange of Vulnerability Information
This framework is not a legal contract. It is a statement of the
requirements for information sharing between CPNI and the receiving
organisation.
The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and the
receiving organization jointly agree:
# to label vulnerability information to be shared with one of the
four "information sharing levels" identified in the Traffic Light
Protocol (TLP);
# where necessary and appropriate to protectively mark the
information in line with their own internal security policies and in
accordance with the TLP;
# to use the same degree of care to maintain confidentiality of
shared vulnerability information as is used for their own internal
or commercially sensitive information;
# neither directly nor indirectly disclose to a third party in advance
of the agreed public disclosure date, either the existence of, or
details pertaining to, vulnerability information supplied under
this framework without the prior written approval of the
originating organization;
# not to use the vulnerability information disclosed for commercial
advantage or marketing purposes;
# to restrict the release of vulnerability information solely to those
persons within the organization with a legitimate need to know
by virtue of their job or role. Such persons must be
appropriately briefed on, and bound by, the meaning of the TLP
sharing mechanism;
# to destroy vulnerability information that is no longer required;
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vulnerability information;
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the disclosure or use of any vulnerability information provided.
CPNI
February 2007