Re: [BugTraq] Peter Gutmann data deletion theaory?

From: Volker Kuhlmann (list0570_at_paradise.net.nz)
Date: 07/24/05

  • Next message: Mandriva Security Team: "MDKSA-2005:125 - Updated clamav packages fix more vulnerabilities"
    Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 12:15:36 +1200
    To: bugtraq@securityfocus.com
    
    

    > Unlike DRAM and SRAM, Flash etc. has no continual or repetitive
    > amplification function. Traces of previous charges may remain, but I
    > doubt they would be recoverable, except perhaps by the most drastic
    > forensic techniques

    I would expect flash memory content to be easily recoverable when
    opening the chip.

    > - and even then, each write or erase operation would
    > reduce the remnants further still.

    True, but don't put yourself to rest on it. Ever noticed that flash
    memory is always smaller than the power of two which it is advertised
    as? Memory is manufctured in matrices, so where is the missing memory? I
    suggest these two possibilities: memory blocks coming out of manufacture
    damaged are "turned off" (prevented from being used), a percentage of
    memory blocks is reserved for defect management. As everything flash
    uses a simple sort of FAT filesystem on these memories, the same areas
    get repeatedly used and worn out, rendering the thing useless very
    early. As a result, I expect flash memory to have defect management
    similar to hard disks - when you think you're overwriting it, you're in
    reality writing elsewhere. For either flash or hard disk you'll need to
    get past internal defect management to sanitise the data. Or physically
    destroy the memory media - always safest.

    Volker

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