01 Nov 08 Android phone users get update for flaw
Users of the G1 Android phone on Friday have begun receiving a software update that fixes a flaw that security researchers found earlier in the week.
The update included the fix to the browser vulnerability and a couple of other minor changes as well, said Michael Kirkland, a Google spokesman. Every user of the G1 may not have gotten the update yet but should within a short time frame, he said.
[ Special report: All about Google Android | Take a tour of the T-Mobile G1 via InfoWorld's slideshow ]
Google worked with T-Mobile USA, the only operator selling the device, to push the update out to users. The G1 went on sale last week, and T-Mobile has not disclosed how many have sold so far.
Researchers at Independent Security Evaluators revealed earlier this week that they discovered that Android, Google's open-source software that is currently only running on HTC's G1 handset, is based on outdated open-source components that do not include a fix to a previously known vulnerability.
On a Web page for ISE, Charlie Miller, Mark Daniel and Jake Honoroff wrote that they wouldn't say much about the vulnerability until Google fixes it. However, they said that Android users who visit malicious Web sites may find their sensitive information stolen. That's because an attacker could access any information the site uses, including saved passwords, information entered into a Web application form, and cookies.
The researchers also said, however, that the impact of the attack is limited because of Android's security architecture. An attacker can't, for example, control functions of the phone like the dialer.
On Friday, Miller was not available to talk about whether he had received and tested the update.
Tagi: independent security evaluators, open source software, security architecture, charlie miller, coue, security researchers, google, phe, mobile usa, g1, malicious web, phone users, minor changes, software update, t mobile, attacker, kirkland, vulnerability,
06 Nov 09 Facebook, MySpace coding errors compromised users' data
Social-networking sites MySpace and Facebook have apparently fixed coding errors that could have allowed an attacker access to all of their users' data and photos.
The simple coding errors are alarming considering the extent to which social networks have gone to reassure their users that their data will be safe. The problem involved the way those sites handle requests for data from other domains, known as the "cross-domain policy."
Tagi: social networking sites, coding errors, domain policy, facebook, social networks, myspace, attacker, extent, photos
02 Mar 10 Aurora Attack — Resistance Is Futile, Pretty Much
eldavojohn writes "Do you have branch offices in China? iSec has published a new report (PDF) outlining the severity of the attacks on Google.cn, allegedly by the Chinese government, dubbed 'Aurora' attacks. Up to 100 companies were victims, and some are speculating that resistance to such attacks is futile. The report lays out the shape of the attacks — which were customized per-company based on installed vulnerable software and antivirus protection: '1. The attacker socially engineers a victim, often in an overseas office, to visit a malicious website. 2. This website uses a browser vulnerability to load custom malware on the initial victim's machine. 3. The malware calls out to a control server, likely identified by a dynamic DNS address. 4. The attacker escalates his privilege on the corporate Windows network, using cached or local administrator credentials. 5. The attacker attempts to access an Active Directory server to obtain the password database, which can be cracked onsite or offsite. 6. The attacker uses cracked credentials to obtain VPN access, or creates a fake user in the VPN access server. 7. At this point, the attack varies based upon the victim. The attacker may steal administrator credentials to access production systems, obtain source code from a source repository, access data hosted at the victim, or explore Intranet sites for valuable intellectual property.' The report also has pages of recommendations as well as lessons learned, which any systems administrator — even those inside the US — should read and take note of."
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Tagi: china ec, source repository, th website, google, malicious website, vpn access, dns address, mdash, password database, access server, directory server, compas, access data, chinese government, windows network, attacker, report pdf, dynamic dns, active dir
