Re: US-Cert Update on New Attacks on Computer Infrastructure

Where are the Penguin fanbois exclaiming " Linux is the safest OS; it's impenetrable " ?
C'mon guyz, do your part. You have a role to fill here.

But, seriously, Dan. Anyone with common sense knows that any system that is exposed to the internet can be compromised. And, it is irrelevant which OS one runs.
The key is, never drink 'OS koolaid'. Use the one that suits your purposes but don't tell everyone that it is ' the most secure ' or ' it can't be hacked '. That's total nonsense.


MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
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*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
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Dan wrote:

http://www.us-cert.gov/current/index.html#red_hat_releases_openssh_security

{Note: Web Link may be manipulated by others and smart web surfing is encouraged like reading in plain text and blocking remote code -- Disclaimer: Poster is not responsible if someone hacks post and web link is illegally changed}

Here is the information from US-Cert.gov which is a part of DHS: all below should be considered a quote ". . ."

SSH Key-based Attacks
added August 26, 2008 at 03:41 pm | updated August 27, 2008 at 03:41 pm

US-CERT is aware of active attacks against linux-based computing infrastructures using compromised SSH keys. The attack appears to initially use stolen SSH keys to gain access to a system, and then uses local kernel exploits to gain root access. Once root access has been obtained, a rootkit known as "phalanx2" is installed.

Phalanx2 appears to be a derivative of an older rootkit named "phalanx". Phalanx2 and the support scripts within the rootkit, are configured to systematically steal SSH keys from the compromised system. These SSH keys are sent to the attackers, who then use them to try to compromise other sites and other systems of interest at the attacked site.

Detection of phalanx2 as used in this attack may be performed as follows:


"ls" does not show a directory "/etc/khubd.p2/", but it can be entered with "cd /etc/khubd.p2".
"/dev/shm/" may contain files from the attack.
Any directory named "khubd.p2" is hidden from "ls", but may be entered by using "cd".
Changes in the configuration of the rootkit might change the attack indicators listed above. Other detection methods may include searching for hidden processes and checking the reference count in "/etc" against the number of directories shown by "ls".
US-CERT encourages administrators to perform the following actions to help mitigate the risks:

Proactively identify and examine systems where SSH keys are used as part of automated processes. These keys will typically do not have passphrases or passwords.
Encourage users to use the keys with passphrase or passwords to reduce the risk if a key is compromised.
Review access paths to internet facing systems and ensure that systems are fully patched.
If a compromise is confirmed, US-CERT recommends the following actions:

Disable key-based SSH authentication on the affected systems, where possible.
Perform an audit of all SSH keys on the affected systems.
Notify all key owners of the potential compromise of their keys.
US-CERT will provide additional information as it becomes available.

US-CERT credits DFN-CERT for their contributions regarding this issue.

{Note: to Microsoft only users: The above is provided as a general service announcement and although it affects Linux systems is provided here publically to raise user's awareness of how serious computer attacks are getting --- thank you for any feedback and have a great day}

Also please use Microsoft's own password tool to generate stronger passwords that are safe and secure. I hope Steve Riley, MSFT will ocmment for all of us to benefit on the issue of new security and safety measures and the new source code Microsoft is slowly but surely developing. That new source code is what I am super excited about for Microsoft's future.
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: US-Cert Update on New Attacks on Computer Infrastructure
    ... SSH Key-based Attacks ... infrastructures using compromised SSH keys. ... Phalanx2 appears to be a derivative of an older rootkit named "phalanx". ... If a compromise is confirmed, ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • US-Cert Update on New Attacks on Computer Infrastructure
    ... SSH Key-based Attacks ... infrastructures using compromised SSH keys. ... Phalanx2 appears to be a derivative of an older rootkit named "phalanx". ... If a compromise is confirmed, ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Equivalent cleaning program in Linux?
    ... Many of these compromises can be traced to systems ... SSH Key-based Attacks ... infrastructures using compromised SSH keys. ... Phalanx2 appears to be a derivative of an older rootkit named "phalanx". ...
    (alt.os.linux)