RE: Firewall and VLAN security design

From: Ivan Coric (ivan.coric_at_workcoverqld.com.au)
Date: 11/04/04

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    Date: Thu, 04 Nov 2004 09:00:53 +1000
    To: <bsampsel@libertyactivist.org>, <security-basics@securityfocus.com>, <kj6loh@yahoo.com>
    
    

    IMHO it's bad practice to segregate your trusted and untrusted networks
    with VLANs. Use one switch for the external net and DMZ if you must, but
    use a separate switch for your internal LAN.

    @Stake security review of VLANs
    http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/pd/si/casi/ca6000/prodlit/vlnwp_wp.pdf

    VLAN Features
    http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/28201900/1928v8x/eescg8x/aleakyv.htm

    Layer 2 -- The Weakest Link
    http://www.cisco.com/en/US/about/ac123/ac114/ac173/ac222/about_cisco_packet_feature09186a0080142deb.html

    There have been threads on this issue previously on the list
    http://www.cotse.com/mailing-lists/bugtraq/1999/1397.html

    cheers
    Ivan

    Ivan Coric, CISSP
    IT Technical Security Officer
    Information Technology
    WorkCover Queensland
    Ph: (07) 30066414 Fax: (07) 30066424
    Email: ivan.coric@workcoverqld.com.au

    >>> Jonathan Loh <kj6loh@yahoo.com> 4/11/2004 8:17:16 am >>>
    Actually, I think cisco does. It just depends on how you comprehend
    the
    following statement. Taken from the CCNA course curriculum Semester 3
    module 8
    overview.

    "VLANs can enhance scalability, security, and network management.
    Routers in
    VLAN topologies provide broadcast filtering, security, and traffic
    flow
    management."

    Strictly speaking "can enhance" does no mean the same as "does
    enhance".

    --- Ivan Coric <ivan.coric@workcoverqld.com.au> wrote:

    > I beg to differ, using VLANs to segregate your external and internal
    > network is a bad idea.
    >
    > I don't think even Cisco recommends VLANs as a security mechanism
    >
    > http://www.sans.org/resources/idfaq/vlan.php
    >
    > http://www.spirit.com/Network/net0103.html
    >
    > http://www.terena.nl/conferences/tnc2003/programme/slides/s1c3.ppt
    >
    > http://www.sans.org/rr/whitepapers/networkdevs/1090.php
    >
    >
    http://www.google.com.au/search?q=vlan+hopping&hl=en&lr=&start=10&sa=N

    >
    > cheers
    > Ivan
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Ivan Coric, CISSP
    > IT Technical Security Officer
    > Information Technology
    > WorkCover Queensland
    > Ph: (07) 30066414 Fax: (07) 30066424
    > Email: ivan.coric@workcoverqld.com.au
    >
    > >>> "Bryan S. Sampsel" <bsampsel@libertyactivist.org> 2/11/2004
    2:56:11
    > pm >>>
    >
    > >
    > >> Is VLAN segmentation enough to segment between the internet, DMZ
    > and
    > >> the internal network, or should I also use different switches for
    > >> each, and be connected through the firewall.
    > >
    > > This is a FAQ, and the usual answer is that no, VLAN separation
    is
    > not
    > > a robust security barrier, an separate switches are recommended
    where
    > the
    > > different subnets need separation for security reasons.
    > >
    >
    > Actually, if you don't offer up your management interface to the
    > publicly
    > accessible side of things, the VLAN separation makes things function
    > exactly like a physically separate switch. Without the routing
    > between
    > those VLANs, the traffic does not magically go from one VLAN to
    > another
    > and the ability to exploit/crack the switch is no greater than
    having
    > a
    > separate switch in place. In fact, if you have a managed switch,
    and
    > do
    > not logically isolate your management interface/IP, you're opening
    up
    > that
    > standalone switch.
    >
    > If you're not crazy enough to put the management IP on the publicly
    > accessible side, there is no risk unless you allow access through a
    > firewall or other routing solution. This is a fundamental concept
    of
    > managed switches and VLANs.
    >
    > This is at least true of Foundry Networks and Cisco switches.
    Mileage
    > may
    > vary. ;)
    >
    > Sincerely,
    >
    > Bryan S. Sampsel
    > LibertyActivist.org
    > FNCNE
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
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