Conference netcad::hub_mgnt

2142.0. "DB90 local console break-in !!" by HGOCS::ANDYNG (Hong Kong MCS, Software Support) Mon Mar 27 1995 00:55

    One customer encounter a security problem on DB90 version 9.14(9.2)
    Following is from the customer:
    
    From testing, local console port break-in is possible.
    The intruder can break in the brouters as follows, even though we
    encrypted the "enable" password:
    1) First, local console port break-in to view all configuration
       parameters(except "enable" password)
    2) Then,local console port break-in to erase the configuration file 
       (hence also erase the enable password)
    3) Afterwards, the intruder can input their own configuration
    parameters.
    
    In order to tackle this problem, we try to disable the local port
    break-in function by setting the configuration register bit 8 as
    mentioned in the user manual.  However, we found that this function
    does not work.  That is, local port break-in still possible.  If
    local console port break-in is possible, the brouter has no protection
    to guard intruder!!!
    
    Is this a bug ? any work around ?
    
    Andy
    

    Andy,
    
    If this is a DECbrouter90, you would be better moving this note to the
    brouter conference.
    
    FWIW, I have seen this too. luckily my customer hasn't yet!
    
    Stuart