Cатсн²² (in)sесuяitу / ChrisJohnRiley

Because we're damned if we do, and we're damned if we don't!

Tag Archives: DEF CON

DEF CON 21 Video – Defense by numbers: Making problems for script kiddies

For those that didn’t manage to wake up for the crack of dawn DEF CON Sundays slot, the fine folks over at DC have released the videos of most (if not all) presentations –> https://www.youtube.com/user/DEFCONConference/

My presentation, for those interested, can be found below.

Links:

#DEFCON Defense by numbers: Making Problems for Script Kiddies and Scanner Monkeys

dc-21-logo-smWell, I finally popped my DEF CON cherry and did a presentation at the largest hacker conference in the world… and no I’m not talking about RSA!

Despite my fears of freezing on stage and beginning to drool like a moron, I think the presentation went well. Excluding of course the point where Powerpoint decided it would die in a fire rather than show my next slide. Still, in typical DEF CON fashion there were goons on hand to deliver shots _just_ at the right time to cover the problem. This will forever be known to me now as JITAD (Just In Time Alcohol Delivery).

Hopefully the attendees took something from the presentation that they can use to make their systems a little more secure, or at least the lives of script kiddies a little harder (this is a dream for us right?).

The slides for the presentation are now online (see below), and the video will be uploaded as soon as DEF CON make the release possible.

As always, feedback on the talk, the idea and anything else is gratefully received…

Links:

  • Slideshare –> HERE

Upcoming BSidesLV and DEF CON presentations

… well, there’s nothing like leaving things to the last-minute. So here I am, sitting at the airport waiting for the first leg of the annual pilgrimage to Vegas (aka Hacker Summer camp), writing a last-minute blogpost to pimp a couple of presentations I’m doing next week.

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Thu 18:00 -19:00 – Underground Track (Siena)

Mobile Fail: Cracking open “secure” android containers

We’ve known for some time that physical access to a device means game over. In response we’ve begun to rely more and more on “secure” container applications to keep our private and company secrets… well… secret! In this presentation I will discuss specific design flaws in the security of “secure” Applications that promise to keep your data / password and even company email safe and sound.

Although this research isn’t earth shattering by any means (in my opinion anyway… way to sell it to ya eh ;), I think it provides a few valuable insights into the lack of for-thought put into some Android application security. This research (although still at the early stages) focuses on the security of secure container applications and password databases, and how the secured implemented to secure them on the device does little if nothing to stop attackers with physical or root access to a device. Yes, physical access == game over… but in this case, secure containers have been specifically designed with this event in mind. Pity they didn’t put a little more thought into it!

Applications discussed (time permitting): Dropbox, box.com, Evernote, Spideroak, Lastpass, applock …

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Sun 10:00 – 10:45 – Track 4

Defense by numbers: Making Problems for Script Kiddies and Scanner Monkeys

On the surface most common browsers look the same, function the same, and deliver web content to the user in a relatively uniformed fashion. Under the shiny surface however, the way specific user agents handle traffic varies in a number of interesting and unique ways. This variation allows for defenders to play games with attackers and scripted attacks in a way that most normal users will never even see.

This talk will attempt to show that differences in how different user agents handle web server responses (specifically status codes) can be used to improve the defensive posture of modern web applications while causing headaches for the average script kiddy or scanner monkey!

Furthering the research presented earlier in the year (BSides London) I will be presenting some interesting edge case notes on how mainstream browsers interpret HTTP status / response codes. I live edge case stuff, just because it’s quirky… so expect a certain amount of off the wall weirdness. Browsers are odd at the best of times, but automated scanners and attack tools are even worse. They love it when they get what they expect… not so much when they get something weird.

This is my first time talking at DEF CON… so come along and let me know what you think. Feedback as always, is desired and well received.