[SNS Advisory No.60] Windows XP Disclosure of Registered AP Information

From: snsadv@LAC.CO.JP
Date: 12/05/02

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    Date:         Thu, 5 Dec 2002 10:03:20 +0900
    From: snsadv@LAC.CO.JP
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    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    SNS Advisory No.60
    Windows XP Disclosure of Registered AP Information

    Problem first discovered: 30 Aug 2002
    Published: 4 Dec 2002
    http://www.lac.co.jp/security/english/snsadv_e/60_e.html
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Overview:
    ---------
      Windows XP's wireless LAN feature may disclose registered access points
      information.

      Packets encrypted with WEP could be sent out even if the radio wave of
      the original access point does not propagate well.

      There is a risk that the list of SSID values assigned to registered
      access points and the packets encrypted with WEP may be intercepted and
      decrypted.

    Problem Description:
    --------------------
      Windows XP machines utilizing wireless LAN automatically search for
      available access points. If not found, requests are continuously sent for
      already registered access points available until connection is achieved.

      If an access point with the same SSID as of an access point already
      configured for XP is installed, Windows XP will recognize it as the same
      access point. Windows XP will then encrypt packets with WEP and start
      transmission.

      Information regarding registered SSIDs can be obtained from available
      inquiry packets by using a packet monitoring tool for wireless LAN.

      Additionally, packets encrypted with WEP of any registered access point
      for Windows XP machines can also be intercepted by establishing an access
      point with the same SSID.

      As the functions to search for available access points and to send
      inquiry requests are always enabled, Windows XP machines using wireless
      LAN feature will leak SSID information of registered access points if
      they cannot establish a connection with an available access point.

      In addition, WEP is susceptible to some already known vulnerabilities.
      Data encrypted with 40-bit keys can be decrypted through brute force
      attacks in a short period of time. In the case of 104-bit encryption
      use, it has been reported that data can be decrypted in approximately two
      weeks.

      Consequently, sending out packets encrypted with WEP is not a recommended
      security practice in an environment where the original access points are
      not available.

      Refer to the following URL for explanatory figures:
        http://www.lac.co.jp/security/english/snsadv_e/60_e.html

    Solution:
    ---------
      Disable the wireless LAN function of Windows XP and use drivers made from
      third-parties that are not susceptible to the problem described above.

    Discovered by:
    --------------
      Nobuo Miwa n-miwa@lac.co.jp

    Vendor Status:
    --------------
      After carrying out discussions with the Security Response Team of
      Microsoft Asia Limited, who was informed about this issue on August 30,
      2002, the conclusion drawn was that the problem was related to the
      software specification. Therefore, consent from the Security Response
      Team of Microsoft Asia Limited was obtained to publish this advisory.

    Acknowledgements:
    -----------------
      Security Response Team of Microsoft Asia Limited

    Disclaimer:
    -----------
      All information in these advisories are subject to change without any
      advanced notices neither mutual consensus, and each of them is released
      as it is. LAC Co.,Ltd. is not responsible for any risks of occurrences
      caused by applying those information.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    SecureNet Service(SNS) Security Advisory <snsadv@lac.co.jp>
    Computer Security Laboratory, LAC http://www.lac.co.jp/security/

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