Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-13 Thread Alexander Reelsen
Hi

On Fri, Aug 10, 2001 at 05:17:58PM +0200, Marko Kreen wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 09, 2001 at 02:01:30PM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> > Marko Kreen  writes:
> > > Well, then we are on back on square one - how do we disable a
> > > service?
> > If there is an interest in IRIX-style chkconfig, I can probably throw
> > something together from the scripts and docs I have lying around
> I would be interested.  :)
You might want to check file-rc or rcconf as well...


MfG/Regards, Alexander

-- 
Alexander Reelsen   http://joker.rhwd.de
[EMAIL PROTECTED]   GnuPG: pub 1024D/F0D7313C  sub 2048g/6AA2EDDB
[EMAIL PROTECTED]7D44 F4E3 1993 FDDF 552E  7C88 EE9C CBD1 F0D7 313C
Securing Debian:http://joker.rhwd.de/doc/Securing-Debian-HOWTO



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-13 Thread Alexander Reelsen

Hi

On Fri, Aug 10, 2001 at 05:17:58PM +0200, Marko Kreen wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 09, 2001 at 02:01:30PM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> > Marko Kreen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> > > Well, then we are on back on square one - how do we disable a
> > > service?
> > If there is an interest in IRIX-style chkconfig, I can probably throw
> > something together from the scripts and docs I have lying around
> I would be interested.  :)
You might want to check file-rc or rcconf as well...


MfG/Regards, Alexander

-- 
Alexander Reelsen   http://joker.rhwd.de
[EMAIL PROTECTED]   GnuPG: pub 1024D/F0D7313C  sub 2048g/6AA2EDDB
[EMAIL PROTECTED]7D44 F4E3 1993 FDDF 552E  7C88 EE9C CBD1 F0D7 313C
Securing Debian:http://joker.rhwd.de/doc/Securing-Debian-HOWTO


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Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-10 Thread Marko Kreen
On Thu, Aug 09, 2001 at 02:01:30PM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> Marko Kreen  writes:
> > Well, then we are on back on square one - how do we disable a
> > service?
> 
> As I said when I started this thread, IRIX style chkconfig is one
> option.  Redhat style chkconfig is another (I'll admit being biased
> towards IRIX's implementation, but I've used both and it's useful to
> compare the two).  A third would be some gui/cli for creating/deleting
> symlinks in the various rc?.d directories (but note that this option
> wouldn't survive updates).  And of course, doing nothing, or something
> completely different is also an option.  :-)
> 
> If there is an interest in IRIX-style chkconfig, I can probably throw
> something together from the scripts and docs I have lying around

I would be interested.  :)

-- 
marko



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-09 Thread Dale Southard
Marko Kreen  writes:

> On Thu, Aug 09, 2001 at 12:38:52PM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> > Marko Kreen  writes:
> > > Well, we have basically one init script per package.  Now I want
> > > state, that _nothing_ from this package gets started.  Do I need
> > > examine the init script then one-by-one disable all vars?
> > 
> > Nope, you would likely have a hierarchy of checks in scripts that
> > start more than one service.
> > 
> > To use IRIX as an example, chkconfig'ing ``gated'' won't prevent the
> > other networking daemons from starting.  But chkconfig'ing ``network''
> > off prevents all the networking daemons (including gated) from
> > starting.
> 
> Hmm, currenctly such 'dependencies' are half-done using the SysV
> 'sequence numbers'.

The sequence numbers correctly order the services (in both IRIX and
Debian) , but don't actually do anything about disabling things with
logical dependencies.  Using the IRIX example, `chkconfig network off`
turns an IRIX box into a clean standalone machine.  In debian, one can
remove an rc?.d symlink, but doing so in no way prevents daemons that
depended on the service from starting.


> > > As in Debian most of services are nicely split up, this should
> > > not matter.
> > 
> > Yes and no.  The init.d scripts are indeed much better split up in
> > Debian than in IRIX.  They need to be, since enabling/disabling a
> > service under Debian is generally done by not installing it or
> > adding/removing rc?.d links.  IRIX doesn't need to split out services
> > since the chkconfig system is available to control what is/isn't
> > started.
> > 
> > But in Debian there are still some individual options that require
> > editing of init.d scripts to enable or disable (see the mountnfs.sh
> > and networking scripts for examples).  Whether or not this makes
> > adding a system like chkconfig ``worth the trouble'' is another
> > question  :-)
> 
> Well, then we are on back on square one - how do we disable a
> service?

As I said when I started this thread, IRIX style chkconfig is one
option.  Redhat style chkconfig is another (I'll admit being biased
towards IRIX's implementation, but I've used both and it's useful to
compare the two).  A third would be some gui/cli for creating/deleting
symlinks in the various rc?.d directories (but note that this option
wouldn't survive updates).  And of course, doing nothing, or something
completely different is also an option.  :-)

If there is an interest in IRIX-style chkconfig, I can probably throw
something together from the scripts and docs I have lying around


-- 

/*  Dale Southard Jr.  [EMAIL PROTECTED]  925-422-1463, fax 422-9429  */
/*  Computer Scientist, Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative  */
/*  L-073,  Lawrence Livermore National Lab,  Livermore CA   94551  */
/*  AFF/I, SL/I, T/I, D-11216, Sr. Rig --- I'd rather be skydiving  */



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-09 Thread Marko Kreen
On Thu, Aug 09, 2001 at 12:38:52PM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> Marko Kreen  writes:
> > Well, we have basically one init script per package.  Now I want
> > state, that _nothing_ from this package gets started.  Do I need
> > examine the init script then one-by-one disable all vars?
> 
> Nope, you would likely have a hierarchy of checks in scripts that
> start more than one service.
> 
> To use IRIX as an example, chkconfig'ing ``gated'' won't prevent the
> other networking daemons from starting.  But chkconfig'ing ``network''
> off prevents all the networking daemons (including gated) from
> starting.

Hmm, currenctly such 'dependencies' are half-done using the SysV
'sequence numbers'.

> This also allows logical dependencies among related init.d scripts --
> for instance there's no point in starting a service that depends on
> portmap if portmap isn't running.  With a chkconfig like system this
> type of dependence is as simple as two chkconfigs in an && clause.

Btw, NetBSD is going in that direction.  It will use lots of
init.d scripts but not sequence numbers and rc.d links.  On boot
run order is calculated by examining dependencies.

> > As in Debian most of services are nicely split up, this should
> > not matter.
> 
> Yes and no.  The init.d scripts are indeed much better split up in
> Debian than in IRIX.  They need to be, since enabling/disabling a
> service under Debian is generally done by not installing it or
> adding/removing rc?.d links.  IRIX doesn't need to split out services
> since the chkconfig system is available to control what is/isn't
> started.
> 
> But in Debian there are still some individual options that require
> editing of init.d scripts to enable or disable (see the mountnfs.sh
> and networking scripts for examples).  Whether or not this makes
> adding a system like chkconfig ``worth the trouble'' is another
> question  :-)

Well, then we are on back on square one - how do we disable a
service?

-- 
marko



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-09 Thread Dale Southard
Marko Kreen  writes:

> > If the ``do I run service X'' check is done in rcS it means that each
> > init.d script is either on or off.  This would eliminate the
> > possibility of having more than one check in a script -- for example,
> > it would be logical to configure the existing Debian networking script
> > with chkconfig options for spoofprotect, syncookies, and ip_forward.
> > This wouldn't be possible if the chkconfig is done in rcS.
> 
> Well, rcS could do overall 'do I run anything from this package' check,
> then init script could check lesser variables, but maybe this gets
> confusing.

I think it's easier (or at least more obvious) to put check in the
init.d scripts.  It also makes things optional -- package maintainers
can add support for (and dependence on) chkconfig on an individual
basis.


> > IRIX actually leverages this significantly -- there are a dozen or so
> > different chkconfig controls in the IRIX networking script used to
> > enable/disable starting of things like nfs, autofs, timed, gated, etc.
> 
> Well, we have basically one init script per package.  Now I want
> state, that _nothing_ from this package gets started.  Do I need
> examine the init script then one-by-one disable all vars?

Nope, you would likely have a hierarchy of checks in scripts that
start more than one service.

To use IRIX as an example, chkconfig'ing ``gated'' won't prevent the
other networking daemons from starting.  But chkconfig'ing ``network''
off prevents all the networking daemons (including gated) from
starting.

This also allows logical dependencies among related init.d scripts --
for instance there's no point in starting a service that depends on
portmap if portmap isn't running.  With a chkconfig like system this
type of dependence is as simple as two chkconfigs in an && clause.



> As in Debian most of services are nicely split up, this should
> not matter.

Yes and no.  The init.d scripts are indeed much better split up in
Debian than in IRIX.  They need to be, since enabling/disabling a
service under Debian is generally done by not installing it or
adding/removing rc?.d links.  IRIX doesn't need to split out services
since the chkconfig system is available to control what is/isn't
started.

But in Debian there are still some individual options that require
editing of init.d scripts to enable or disable (see the mountnfs.sh
and networking scripts for examples).  Whether or not this makes
adding a system like chkconfig ``worth the trouble'' is another
question  :-)

-- 

/*  Dale Southard Jr.  [EMAIL PROTECTED]  925-422-1463, fax 422-9429  */
/*  Computer Scientist, Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative  */
/*  L-073,  Lawrence Livermore National Lab,  Livermore CA   94551  */
/*  AFF/I, SL/I, T/I, D-11216, Sr. Rig --- I'd rather be skydiving  */



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-09 Thread Marko Kreen
On Wed, Aug 08, 2001 at 05:17:33PM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> Marko Kreen  writes:
> > I think this
> > is not good, it takes away flexibility.  IMHO it would be better
> > if only /etc/init.d/rc (& rcS) checks whether a service should be
> > auto-started on boot.  That way the responsibility is also
> > divided better, init-script's business is to start a service
> > and rc/rcS business is start boot-time services.
> 
> Interesting idea.  It certainly simplifies the implementation, but it
> actually reduces the flexibility, rather than adds to it.
> 
> If the ``do I run service X'' check is done in rcS it means that each
> init.d script is either on or off.  This would eliminate the
> possibility of having more than one check in a script -- for example,
> it would be logical to configure the existing Debian networking script
> with chkconfig options for spoofprotect, syncookies, and ip_forward.
> This wouldn't be possible if the chkconfig is done in rcS.

Well, rcS could do overall 'do I run anything from this package' check,
then init script could check lesser variables, but maybe this gets
confusing.

> IRIX actually leverages this significantly -- there are a dozen or so
> different chkconfig controls in the IRIX networking script used to
> enable/disable starting of things like nfs, autofs, timed, gated, etc.

Well, we have basically one init script per package.  Now I want
state, that _nothing_ from this package gets started.  Do I need
examine the init script then one-by-one disable all vars?

As in Debian most of services are nicely split up, this should
not matter.


-- 
marko



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-08 Thread Dale Southard
Marko Kreen  writes:

> On Wed, Aug 08, 2001 at 02:56:46PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> > On Wed, Aug 08, 2001 at 08:44:50PM +0200, Marko Kreen wrote:
> > > On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 11:05:25AM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> > > > Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
> > > > simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
> > > > external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
> > > > returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
> > > > like:
> > > > 
> > > >   case "$1" in
> > > > 'start')
> > > >   if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
> > > > ...
> > > > start myservice
> > > > ...
> > > >   fi
> > > 
> > > Would not it be better to put this login in rcS script?  That
> > > way the services can be manually started if needed (eg. for
> > > testing).
> > > 
> > 
> > If you want to login before services start in single user mode then change:
> 
> Uh.  Ofcourse I meant 'code'.  I have no idea how the word
> 'login' got there...
> 
> Dale proposed that each init script checks itself whether it
> needs to be started, from some central location.  

Actually, it is how SGI's IRIX works -- so it's not really my idea,
only something that I've seen work in practice and seems trivial to
implement.



> I think this
> is not good, it takes away flexibility.  IMHO it would be better
> if only /etc/init.d/rc (& rcS) checks whether a service should be
> auto-started on boot.  That way the responsibility is also
> divided better, init-script's business is to start a service
> and rc/rcS business is start boot-time services.

Interesting idea.  It certainly simplifies the implementation, but it
actually reduces the flexibility, rather than adds to it.

If the ``do I run service X'' check is done in rcS it means that each
init.d script is either on or off.  This would eliminate the
possibility of having more than one check in a script -- for example,
it would be logical to configure the existing Debian networking script
with chkconfig options for spoofprotect, syncookies, and ip_forward.
This wouldn't be possible if the chkconfig is done in rcS.

IRIX actually leverages this significantly -- there are a dozen or so
different chkconfig controls in the IRIX networking script used to
enable/disable starting of things like nfs, autofs, timed, gated, etc.


> One easy hack woud be to replace '-f' with '-x' in following
> code in rc, rcS:
> 
>   [ ! -f "$i" ] && continue
> 
> then later you can 'chmod -x' init scripts.  Problem with
> this is that on upgrade your 'settings' will be lost.

Exactly the problem we were discussing.  The advantage of the IRIX
chkconfig system is that it puts the ``on or off'' information for
each service in a directory that isn't clobbered by upgrades.  The
above replacement wouldn't likely survive upgrades. 


-- 

/*  Dale Southard Jr.  [EMAIL PROTECTED]  925-422-1463, fax 422-9429  */
/*  Computer Scientist, Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative  */
/*  L-073,  Lawrence Livermore National Lab,  Livermore CA   94551  */
/*  AFF/I, SL/I, T/I, D-11216, Sr. Rig --- I'd rather be skydiving  */



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-08 Thread Marko Kreen
On Wed, Aug 08, 2001 at 02:56:46PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> On Wed, Aug 08, 2001 at 08:44:50PM +0200, Marko Kreen wrote:
> > On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 11:05:25AM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> > > Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
> > > simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
> > > external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
> > > returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
> > > like:
> > > 
> > >   case "$1" in
> > > 'start')
> > >   if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
> > > ...
> > > start myservice
> > > ...
> > >   fi
> > 
> > Would not it be better to put this login in rcS script?  That
> > way the services can be manually started if needed (eg. for
> > testing).
> > 
> 
> If you want to login before services start in single user mode then change:

Uh.  Ofcourse I meant 'code'.  I have no idea how the word
'login' got there...

Dale proposed that each init script checks itself whether it
needs to be started, from some central location.  I think this
is not good, it takes away flexibility.  IMHO it would be better
if only /etc/init.d/rc (& rcS) checks whether a service should be
auto-started on boot.  That way the responsibility is also
divided better, init-script's business is to start a service
and rc/rcS business is start boot-time services.

One easy hack woud be to replace '-f' with '-x' in following
code in rc, rcS:

[ ! -f "$i" ] && continue

then later you can 'chmod -x' init scripts.  Problem with
this is that on upgrade your 'settings' will be lost.

Better would be to put the chkconfig into those loops.

-- 
marko



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-08 Thread Mike Fedyk
On Wed, Aug 08, 2001 at 08:44:50PM +0200, Marko Kreen wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 11:05:25AM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> > Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
> > simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
> > external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
> > returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
> > like:
> > 
> >   case "$1" in
> > 'start')
> >   if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
> > ...
> > start myservice
> > ...
> >   fi
> 
> Would not it be better to put this login in rcS script?  That
> way the services can be manually started if needed (eg. for
> testing).
> 

If you want to login before services start in single user mode then change:

# Set to yes if you want sulogin to be spawned on bootup
SULOGIN=yes

in /etc/default/rcS

Mike



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-08 Thread Mike Fedyk

On Wed, Aug 08, 2001 at 08:44:50PM +0200, Marko Kreen wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 11:05:25AM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> > Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
> > simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
> > external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
> > returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
> > like:
> > 
> >   case "$1" in
> > 'start')
> >   if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
> > ...
> > start myservice
> > ...
> >   fi
> 
> Would not it be better to put this login in rcS script?  That
> way the services can be manually started if needed (eg. for
> testing).
> 

If you want to login before services start in single user mode then change:

# Set to yes if you want sulogin to be spawned on bootup
SULOGIN=yes

in /etc/default/rcS

Mike


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Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-08-08 Thread Marko Kreen
On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 11:05:25AM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
> simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
> external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
> returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
> like:
> 
>   case "$1" in
> 'start')
>   if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
> ...
> start myservice
> ...
>   fi

Would not it be better to put this login in rcS script?  That
way the services can be manually started if needed (eg. for
testing).

-- 
marko



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Dale Southard
Mike Fedyk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 03:27:10AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> > > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > > Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ 
> > > dir that
> > > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > > non-existance before starting...
> > 
> > Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be 
> > hard
> > enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run 
> > mode.
> 
> Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

I think I've shot this one out before, but...

Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
like:

  case "$1" in
'start')
  if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
...
start myservice
...
  fi

[In IRIX, the /etc/config directory has a file for each name chkconfig
knows about that contains either ``on'' or ``off'' so adding a new
service is as simple as `echo "on" > /etc/config/newservice`, though
IRIX actually allows viewing and changing things with the chkconfig
program itself (eg, `chkconfig` with no arguments lists every service
known to chkconfig, `chkconfig service on|off` changes the state of a
service, with a -f flag to ``force'' creation of a new service.)]

This prevents ``uptdate surprises'' since updating everything
including the init.d script doesn't change the on|off status of the
service in the config directory.  Of course it also means putting the
above bit of logic in every init.d script that is put under chkconfig
control and adding the necessary logic to the postinst script to
create the config entry if it doesn't exist yet...




-- 

/*  Dale Southard Jr.   [EMAIL PROTECTED]925-422-1463  */
/*  Computer Scientist, Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative  */
/*  L-550,  Lawrence Livermore National Lab,  Livermore CA   94551  */
/*  AFF/I, SL/I, T/I, D-11216, Sr. Rig --- I'd rather be skydiving  */



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Mike Fedyk
>On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
>  Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir 
> that
>  packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
>  commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
>  non-existance before starting...
> 

>On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 03:27:10AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
> enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.

> Mike Fedyk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 11:05:25AM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> 
> I think I've shot this one out before, but...
> 
> Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
> simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
> external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
> returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
> like:
> 
>   case "$1" in
> 'start')
>   if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
> ...
> start myservice
> ...
>   fi
>

Very nice, even better than sourcing...

Though, source  is a one line change, and doesn't add logic to
each package.  But, that could lead to another flame war on what should
go in that sourced file...

> [In IRIX, the /etc/config directory has a file for each name chkconfig
> knows about that contains either ``on'' or ``off'' so adding a new
> service is as simple as `echo "on" > /etc/config/newservice`, though
> IRIX actually allows viewing and changing things with the chkconfig
> program itself (eg, `chkconfig` with no arguments lists every service
> known to chkconfig, `chkconfig service on|off` changes the state of a
> service, with a -f flag to ``force'' creation of a new service.)]
>
> This prevents ``uptdate surprises'' since updating everything
> including the init.d script doesn't change the on|off status of the
> service in the config directory.  Of course it also means putting the
> above bit of logic in every init.d script that is put under chkconfig
> control and adding the necessary logic to the postinst script to
> create the config entry if it doesn't exist yet...

I think we would probably default to "off" if there isn't a file, or
if it doesn't contain "on".  That way, all you have to do is touch the
file on install...

Mike



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Mike Fedyk
On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 01:37:00PM -0300, Henrique de Moraes Holschuh wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Jul 2001, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> > Yes, make the default configurable if you have your debconf setting to
> > "medium" or "low" and default to "Don't start" otherwise.
> 
> THAT is actually a good idea.
>

Thanks

> > > > Personally, I think there should either be a 
> > > > /etc/do-not-start/ dir that
> > > > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > > > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > > > non-existance before starting...
> > > 
> > > Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be 
> > > hard
> > > enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run 
> > > mode.
> > 
> > Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> > contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.
> 
> Please you two, do your homework. Search for invoke-rc.d in debian-policy;
> Since the sysvinit maintainer is MIA, you probably got a few weeks to
> give suggestions.
>

Actually, Steve posted the URL on the 23rd, and I'm just reading it now.

Let's see if we can get some progress out of this flame thread...

Mike



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Henrique de Moraes Holschuh
On Wed, 25 Jul 2001, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> Yes, make the default configurable if you have your debconf setting to
> "medium" or "low" and default to "Don't start" otherwise.

THAT is actually a good idea.

> > > Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ 
> > > dir that
> > > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > > non-existance before starting...
> > 
> > Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be 
> > hard
> > enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run 
> > mode.
> 
> Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

Please you two, do your homework. Search for invoke-rc.d in debian-policy;
Since the sysvinit maintainer is MIA, you probably got a few weeks to
give suggestions.

-- 
  "One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring
  them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond
  where the shadows lie." -- The Silicon Valley Tarot
  Henrique Holschuh



Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Mike Fedyk
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 03:27:10AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not 
> > > be
> > > default, but it should be possible.
> 
> > But that doesn't change the default.  If you do something like this,
> > you should add an option "apt-get --run install foo"
> 
> Yes, that would make sense.  Both --run and --no-run could be avalable as
> options with the default behavior determined by apt/dpkg configuration.  As
> for what the default for apt/dpkg's config, that's for us to flame each
> other over... ;-)
>

Yes, make the default configurable if you have your debconf setting to
"medium" or "low" and default to "Don't start" otherwise.

I really don't want to have to type something more every time just to
keep the daemons from starting...

If you have -run and --no-run what happens when you don't specify
either?

> > Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ 
> > dir that
> > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > non-existance before starting...
> 
> Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
> enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.
> 

Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

Mike



Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Dale Southard

Mike Fedyk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 03:27:10AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> > > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > > Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir that
> > > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > > non-existance before starting...
> > 
> > Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
> > enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.
> 
> Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

I think I've shot this one out before, but...

Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
like:

  case "$1" in
'start')
  if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
...
start myservice
...
  fi

[In IRIX, the /etc/config directory has a file for each name chkconfig
knows about that contains either ``on'' or ``off'' so adding a new
service is as simple as `echo "on" > /etc/config/newservice`, though
IRIX actually allows viewing and changing things with the chkconfig
program itself (eg, `chkconfig` with no arguments lists every service
known to chkconfig, `chkconfig service on|off` changes the state of a
service, with a -f flag to ``force'' creation of a new service.)]

This prevents ``uptdate surprises'' since updating everything
including the init.d script doesn't change the on|off status of the
service in the config directory.  Of course it also means putting the
above bit of logic in every init.d script that is put under chkconfig
control and adding the necessary logic to the postinst script to
create the config entry if it doesn't exist yet...




-- 

/*  Dale Southard Jr.   [EMAIL PROTECTED]925-422-1463  */
/*  Computer Scientist, Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative  */
/*  L-550,  Lawrence Livermore National Lab,  Livermore CA   94551  */
/*  AFF/I, SL/I, T/I, D-11216, Sr. Rig --- I'd rather be skydiving  */


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Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Mike Fedyk

>On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
>  Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir that
>  packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
>  commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
>  non-existance before starting...
> 

>On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 03:27:10AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
> enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.

> Mike Fedyk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 11:05:25AM -0700, Dale Southard wrote:
> 
> I think I've shot this one out before, but...
> 
> Why not use something like the IRIX ``chkconfig'' system: Provide a
> simple program that takes the ``name'' of a service and then checks an
> external file/files for ``on'' or off status of each service, and
> returns 0 if on, 1 if off.  Then have each init.d script do something
> like:
> 
>   case "$1" in
> 'start')
>   if /etc/chkconfig myservice; then
> ...
> start myservice
> ...
>   fi
>

Very nice, even better than sourcing...

Though, source  is a one line change, and doesn't add logic to
each package.  But, that could lead to another flame war on what should
go in that sourced file...

> [In IRIX, the /etc/config directory has a file for each name chkconfig
> knows about that contains either ``on'' or ``off'' so adding a new
> service is as simple as `echo "on" > /etc/config/newservice`, though
> IRIX actually allows viewing and changing things with the chkconfig
> program itself (eg, `chkconfig` with no arguments lists every service
> known to chkconfig, `chkconfig service on|off` changes the state of a
> service, with a -f flag to ``force'' creation of a new service.)]
>
> This prevents ``uptdate surprises'' since updating everything
> including the init.d script doesn't change the on|off status of the
> service in the config directory.  Of course it also means putting the
> above bit of logic in every init.d script that is put under chkconfig
> control and adding the necessary logic to the postinst script to
> create the config entry if it doesn't exist yet...

I think we would probably default to "off" if there isn't a file, or
if it doesn't contain "on".  That way, all you have to do is touch the
file on install...

Mike


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Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Mike Fedyk

On Wed, Jul 25, 2001 at 01:37:00PM -0300, Henrique de Moraes Holschuh wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Jul 2001, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> > Yes, make the default configurable if you have your debconf setting to
> > "medium" or "low" and default to "Don't start" otherwise.
> 
> THAT is actually a good idea.
>

Thanks

> > > > Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir 
>that
> > > > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > > > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > > > non-existance before starting...
> > > 
> > > Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
> > > enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.
> > 
> > Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> > contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.
> 
> Please you two, do your homework. Search for invoke-rc.d in debian-policy;
> Since the sysvinit maintainer is MIA, you probably got a few weeks to
> give suggestions.
>

Actually, Steve posted the URL on the 23rd, and I'm just reading it now.

Let's see if we can get some progress out of this flame thread...

Mike


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Re: Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Henrique de Moraes Holschuh

On Wed, 25 Jul 2001, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> Yes, make the default configurable if you have your debconf setting to
> "medium" or "low" and default to "Don't start" otherwise.

THAT is actually a good idea.

> > > Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir that
> > > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > > non-existance before starting...
> > 
> > Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
> > enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.
> 
> Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
> contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

Please you two, do your homework. Search for invoke-rc.d in debian-policy;
Since the sysvinit maintainer is MIA, you probably got a few weeks to
give suggestions.

-- 
  "One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring
  them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond
  where the shadows lie." -- The Silicon Valley Tarot
  Henrique Holschuh


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Daemon init scripts and apt-get [was: Re: red worm amusement]

2001-07-25 Thread Mike Fedyk

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 03:27:10AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> > > default, but it should be possible.
> 
> > But that doesn't change the default.  If you do something like this,
> > you should add an option "apt-get --run install foo"
> 
> Yes, that would make sense.  Both --run and --no-run could be avalable as
> options with the default behavior determined by apt/dpkg configuration.  As
> for what the default for apt/dpkg's config, that's for us to flame each
> other over... ;-)
>

Yes, make the default configurable if you have your debconf setting to
"medium" or "low" and default to "Don't start" otherwise.

I really don't want to have to type something more every time just to
keep the daemons from starting...

If you have -run and --no-run what happens when you don't specify
either?

> > Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir that
> > packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> > commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> > non-existance before starting...
> 
> Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
> enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.
> 

Actually, if we could get them all to source an sh script that
contains that logic, all changes to policy would be self-contained.

Mike


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Re: --no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-23 Thread Steve Greenland
On 22-Jul-01, 16:06 (CDT), Steven Barker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 04:00:43PM +0200, Bernhard R. Link wrote:
> > The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
> > another config-file there before installing it.

Hmmm, I don't know that that would work on a clean install (no
/var/lib/dpkg/info/foo.conffiles). Must try...

> You are right, and I don't think that running with a default configuration
> would be a problem would be a problem often.  But an option to prevent
> servers (or perhaps all daemons, networked or not) from running on install
> would let anyone who does not want the default configuration the chance to
> change settings before starting it up.
> 
> Another problem with the current system is that disabled (as in, not running
> and removed from /etc/rc?.d) daemons restart themselves when they are
> upgraded.

Folks, this is all designed and implemented, and is waiting
on the sysvinit and file-rc maintainers to integrate. See
http://bugs.debian.org/76868 (Note that it changed somewhat during the
disccussion, so read *all* the way through before commenting.)

Steve

-- 
Steve Greenland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
(Please do not CC me on mail sent to this list; I subscribe to and read
every list I post to.)



Re: --no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-23 Thread Steve Greenland

On 22-Jul-01, 16:06 (CDT), Steven Barker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 04:00:43PM +0200, Bernhard R. Link wrote:
> > The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
> > another config-file there before installing it.

Hmmm, I don't know that that would work on a clean install (no
/var/lib/dpkg/info/foo.conffiles). Must try...

> You are right, and I don't think that running with a default configuration
> would be a problem would be a problem often.  But an option to prevent
> servers (or perhaps all daemons, networked or not) from running on install
> would let anyone who does not want the default configuration the chance to
> change settings before starting it up.
> 
> Another problem with the current system is that disabled (as in, not running
> and removed from /etc/rc?.d) daemons restart themselves when they are
> upgraded.

Folks, this is all designed and implemented, and is waiting
on the sysvinit and file-rc maintainers to integrate. See
http://bugs.debian.org/76868 (Note that it changed somewhat during the
disccussion, so read *all* the way through before commenting.)

Steve

-- 
Steve Greenland <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
(Please do not CC me on mail sent to this list; I subscribe to and read
every list I post to.)


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Colin R. R. Johnson
On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:

>
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
>
> 
>
> > No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.
>
> 
>
> Well, I'm going to wade into this growing flamewar to point out what I think
> is a sound idea.  The trouble with the current system is that installed
> daemons automatically start running with a default configuration.  This is
> not always bad, but does not allow a paranoid sysadmin to protect themselves
> (short of ugly workarounds like taking down the network interface until the
> server is shut off).
>
> I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> default, but it should be possible.
>

I think this is a great idea, also, if dpkg / apt showed what servers were
being setup to run after the initial install, it could be saved to a file.

This would also assist if there was a break-in and a new server running
you could check against your original list.

> I'm sure there are many ways this could work.  Perhaps:
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]:/etc# apt-get install --no-run apache
>
> would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> another flag).

One option here would be a simple [y/n] question whether or not to run the
new service automatically as part of the package install.

--snip--

Colin.
--
Colin Johnson  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Remember: Everything you see on screen is but ones and zeroes.



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Hubert Chan
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

> "Bernhard" == Bernhard R Link <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

Bernhard> On public streets or public places, you are not
Bernhard> allowed. Otherwise you are allowed without licence.

True.  And I think that most of us won't care if people have insecure
boxes, if those boxes aren't on the Internet.

Bernhard> (And even an licence does not avoid accidents and deaths, it
Bernhard> only may reduce them)

True again.  Just as knowing about security or hiring a
security-conscious admin only reduces the chance of getting cracked.

>> If we had the same sort of standards for computer use, though, we
>> wouldn't have as much of a security problem as we do have.

Bernhard> Sure?

Yes.  Because at the minimum, it would inform people about the
importance of paying attention to security.  (Mind you, the "standards"
that I'm talking about for driving only reflect my North American
experiences.  Germany may be (and I have heard it is) different.)

- -- 
Hubert Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - http://www.geocities.com/hubertchan/
PGP/GnuPG key: 1024D/651854DF71FDA37F
Fingerprint: 6CC5 822D 2E55 494C 81DD  6F2C 6518 54DF 71FD A37F
Key available at wwwkeys.pgp.net.   Please encrypt *all* e-mail to me.
-BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-
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iD8DBQE7W2X9ZRhU33H9o38RAvkGAJ0RCOxHO4uwP4dRnxRsi0I7557yAACfbKhQ
JuCEXA8i9VC/U4W0YkO7yR4=
=185s
-END PGP SIGNATURE-



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Colin R. R. Johnson

On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:

>
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
>
> 
>
> > No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.
>
> 
>
> Well, I'm going to wade into this growing flamewar to point out what I think
> is a sound idea.  The trouble with the current system is that installed
> daemons automatically start running with a default configuration.  This is
> not always bad, but does not allow a paranoid sysadmin to protect themselves
> (short of ugly workarounds like taking down the network interface until the
> server is shut off).
>
> I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> default, but it should be possible.
>

I think this is a great idea, also, if dpkg / apt showed what servers were
being setup to run after the initial install, it could be saved to a file.

This would also assist if there was a break-in and a new server running
you could check against your original list.

> I'm sure there are many ways this could work.  Perhaps:
>
> root@foobar:/etc# apt-get install --no-run apache
>
> would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> another flag).

One option here would be a simple [y/n] question whether or not to run the
new service automatically as part of the package install.

--snip--

Colin.
--
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Remember: Everything you see on screen is but ones and zeroes.


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Hubert Chan

-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

> "Bernhard" == Bernhard R Link <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

Bernhard> On public streets or public places, you are not
Bernhard> allowed. Otherwise you are allowed without licence.

True.  And I think that most of us won't care if people have insecure
boxes, if those boxes aren't on the Internet.

Bernhard> (And even an licence does not avoid accidents and deaths, it
Bernhard> only may reduce them)

True again.  Just as knowing about security or hiring a
security-conscious admin only reduces the chance of getting cracked.

>> If we had the same sort of standards for computer use, though, we
>> wouldn't have as much of a security problem as we do have.

Bernhard> Sure?

Yes.  Because at the minimum, it would inform people about the
importance of paying attention to security.  (Mind you, the "standards"
that I'm talking about for driving only reflect my North American
experiences.  Germany may be (and I have heard it is) different.)

- -- 
Hubert Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - http://www.geocities.com/hubertchan/
PGP/GnuPG key: 1024D/651854DF71FDA37F
Fingerprint: 6CC5 822D 2E55 494C 81DD  6F2C 6518 54DF 71FD A37F
Key available at wwwkeys.pgp.net.   Please encrypt *all* e-mail to me.
-BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-
Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org

iD8DBQE7W2X9ZRhU33H9o38RAvkGAJ0RCOxHO4uwP4dRnxRsi0I7557yAACfbKhQ
JuCEXA8i9VC/U4W0YkO7yR4=
=185s
-END PGP SIGNATURE-


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Re: --no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-22 Thread Steven Barker
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 04:00:43PM +0200, Bernhard R. Link wrote:
> On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> > default, but it should be possible.
> 
> Why should anyone want to install a server without letting it run?

Security, customibility, flexability

> The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
> another config-file there before installing it.

You are right, and I don't think that running with a default configuration
would be a problem would be a problem often.  But an option to prevent
servers (or perhaps all daemons, networked or not) from running on install
would let anyone who does not want the default configuration the chance to
change settings before starting it up.

Another problem with the current system is that disabled (as in, not running
and removed from /etc/rc?.d) daemons restart themselves when they are
upgraded.  Often they are in packages that are so fundamental that they
cannot realistically be removed (ie: inetd).  The same mechanism in apt/dpgk
that allows non-run installations could also permit non-run upgrades
(perhaps even automatically detected).

I'm not planning to hacking this into dpkg, but perhaps it will be a future
project.  I'm always interested in other opinions as well.

-- 
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  "I will make no bargains with terrorist hardware."
  -- Peter da Silva
I have a new PGP key!  It's ID is EBD5936B.
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PGP Key Fingerprint: 272A 3EC8 52CE F22B F745  775E 5292 F743 EBD5 936B



Re: --no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-22 Thread Steven Barker

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 04:00:43PM +0200, Bernhard R. Link wrote:
> On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> > default, but it should be possible.
> 
> Why should anyone want to install a server without letting it run?

Security, customibility, flexability

> The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
> another config-file there before installing it.

You are right, and I don't think that running with a default configuration
would be a problem would be a problem often.  But an option to prevent
servers (or perhaps all daemons, networked or not) from running on install
would let anyone who does not want the default configuration the chance to
change settings before starting it up.

Another problem with the current system is that disabled (as in, not running
and removed from /etc/rc?.d) daemons restart themselves when they are
upgraded.  Often they are in packages that are so fundamental that they
cannot realistically be removed (ie: inetd).  The same mechanism in apt/dpgk
that allows non-run installations could also permit non-run upgrades
(perhaps even automatically detected).

I'm not planning to hacking this into dpkg, but perhaps it will be a future
project.  I'm always interested in other opinions as well.

-- 
Steven Barker  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  "I will make no bargains with terrorist hardware."
  -- Peter da Silva
I have a new PGP key!  It's ID is EBD5936B.
 Get it at http://www.students.uiuc.edu~/scbarker/pubkey.asc
PGP Key Fingerprint: 272A 3EC8 52CE F22B F745  775E 5292 F743 EBD5 936B


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Re: --no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-22 Thread Rob VanFleet
Exactly.  It is more of a special case to *not* want a server to start
at boot rather than the other way around.  To those who think that
apt-get install apache is too easy, then why is apt-get remove apache
too hard?

-Rob

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 04:00:43PM +0200, Bernhard R. Link wrote:
> On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> > default, but it should be possible.
> 
> Why should anyone want to install a server without letting it run?
> 
> 
> The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
> another config-file there before installing it. ( If you are that paranoic
> you should not only do ar -x xxx.deb ; tar -xzf data.tgz etc/configfile ,
> but also check the whole package before installing it).
> 
> 
> > would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> > sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> > and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> > another flag).
> 
> Not adding rc.d-Links is really ridicilous. If you have an computer, that
> justs boots after installing without the chance to change links, than you
> should plug-out the network-cable so or so.
> 
> > This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
> > and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
> > simplicity of apt-get install foo.
> 
> I do not see a nesecarity for it. Though if you want to supply patches to
> carry an --no-run in dpkg to some environment-variable to the script and
> and patch to dh_xxx to check this, go ahead, but there are important and
> senseful thing to do.
> 
> Hochachtungsvoll,
>   Bernhard R. Link
> 
> 
> --  
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jörgen V .
Iam new to Debian and this is my first post to the debian-security
mailinglist, having read this threath i realy aint seeing anybody pointing
out that it is the "Sysadmin" who makes the machine secure, it's not an OS
what makes a machine secure, it's the admin behind it.

I use a broad range of OS'es, including OpenBSD, claiming blunt out that
OpenBSD is secure by default is like dancing with the devil because it
isn't, every *NIX distro is "by default" leak\insecure, YOU have to make it
secure, when it comes to Microsoft products you can patch and upgrade all
you wan't, it isn't gona help you make a secure system, you have to realize
that bugs and holes is something what comes by default with Microsoft. On
*NIX you can make a difference.


Jörgen V.
--
http://security.veendam.org
http://www.securitydatabase.net





Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Rainer Weikusat
Jacob Meuser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Still not the point.  I'm talking about services being enabled, either 
> by default, or by apt-get.

[...]

> ftpd is not enabled by default.

So imagine someone looking for a ftp-server, and, as it happens to be
the case, finds one, say, per locate, in /usr/libexec, which already
has a line corresponding to it in /etc/inetd.conf, though commented
out...

> There are many ways to locally compromise any Unix-like OS,
> therefore it has a rather low priority.

This sounds a bit illogical to me. If there are 'many ways', shouldn't
it rather be 'high priority', especially, as this renders per-daemon
uids basically useless?

> And whose going to teach them?  Certainly not an OS that makes it as
> easy as 'apt-get install apache'!

OSs don't teach people anything, documentation does. Which won't get
read anyway or at least be ignored.

> Maybe you don't get it.  A system that is compromised poses a danger
> to EVERYONE ON THE INTERNET.

So what? Try a cable-cutter.

-- 
stone me



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Bernhard R. Link
On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Jacob Meuser wrote:

> What I would like is for packages to not start a service immediately
> upon installation.

Though I do not understand this, I do not want to argue again, see my
other post...

> I don't want the installation of packages to
> put put links in /etc/rc?.d.

Why, just remove them after installing. Noone forces you to reboot just
after installation. And installing an package without the want to run it
is only a security flaw.


> Apache by default listens on port 80.  Apache is now listening for
> incoming internet connections on port 80.  Links have been installed
> in /etc/rc?.d, so that this machine will be listening for connections
> on port 80 everytime this machine is booted.
> Because you are running a service, it is VERY important that you
> read and follow the advice at http://www.debian.org/security/
>

This is only redicilous.

The car-analogy fits here very good.

Don't understand me wrong, I'm not again telling the user, if he does
something dangerous. But coffee is hot, and an server lowers security.
Why not also giving 5 pages of warnings, wenn configuring an networking-
connection (which is the real security problem) and making  the user to
type "Yes, I want to crash my computer" before installing, so that he
really knows, what can happen?



Hochachtungsvoll,
  Bernhard R. Link



Re: --no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-22 Thread Rob VanFleet

Exactly.  It is more of a special case to *not* want a server to start
at boot rather than the other way around.  To those who think that
apt-get install apache is too easy, then why is apt-get remove apache
too hard?

-Rob

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 04:00:43PM +0200, Bernhard R. Link wrote:
> On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:
> 
> > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> > default, but it should be possible.
> 
> Why should anyone want to install a server without letting it run?
> 
> 
> The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
> another config-file there before installing it. ( If you are that paranoic
> you should not only do ar -x xxx.deb ; tar -xzf data.tgz etc/configfile ,
> but also check the whole package before installing it).
> 
> 
> > would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> > sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> > and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> > another flag).
> 
> Not adding rc.d-Links is really ridicilous. If you have an computer, that
> justs boots after installing without the chance to change links, than you
> should plug-out the network-cable so or so.
> 
> > This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
> > and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
> > simplicity of apt-get install foo.
> 
> I do not see a nesecarity for it. Though if you want to supply patches to
> carry an --no-run in dpkg to some environment-variable to the script and
> and patch to dh_xxx to check this, go ahead, but there are important and
> senseful thing to do.
> 
> Hochachtungsvoll,
>   Bernhard R. Link
> 
> 
> --  
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]


--  
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--no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-22 Thread Bernhard R. Link
On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:

> I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> default, but it should be possible.

Why should anyone want to install a server without letting it run?


The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
another config-file there before installing it. ( If you are that paranoic
you should not only do ar -x xxx.deb ; tar -xzf data.tgz etc/configfile ,
but also check the whole package before installing it).


> would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> another flag).

Not adding rc.d-Links is really ridicilous. If you have an computer, that
justs boots after installing without the chance to change links, than you
should plug-out the network-cable so or so.

> This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
> and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
> simplicity of apt-get install foo.

I do not see a nesecarity for it. Though if you want to supply patches to
carry an --no-run in dpkg to some environment-variable to the script and
and patch to dh_xxx to check this, go ahead, but there are important and
senseful thing to do.

Hochachtungsvoll,
  Bernhard R. Link



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jörgen V .

Iam new to Debian and this is my first post to the debian-security
mailinglist, having read this threath i realy aint seeing anybody pointing
out that it is the "Sysadmin" who makes the machine secure, it's not an OS
what makes a machine secure, it's the admin behind it.

I use a broad range of OS'es, including OpenBSD, claiming blunt out that
OpenBSD is secure by default is like dancing with the devil because it
isn't, every *NIX distro is "by default" leak\insecure, YOU have to make it
secure, when it comes to Microsoft products you can patch and upgrade all
you wan't, it isn't gona help you make a secure system, you have to realize
that bugs and holes is something what comes by default with Microsoft. On
*NIX you can make a difference.


Jörgen V.
--
http://security.veendam.org
http://www.securitydatabase.net




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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Rainer Weikusat

Jacob Meuser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Still not the point.  I'm talking about services being enabled, either 
> by default, or by apt-get.

[...]

> ftpd is not enabled by default.

So imagine someone looking for a ftp-server, and, as it happens to be
the case, finds one, say, per locate, in /usr/libexec, which already
has a line corresponding to it in /etc/inetd.conf, though commented
out...

> There are many ways to locally compromise any Unix-like OS,
> therefore it has a rather low priority.

This sounds a bit illogical to me. If there are 'many ways', shouldn't
it rather be 'high priority', especially, as this renders per-daemon
uids basically useless?

> And whose going to teach them?  Certainly not an OS that makes it as
> easy as 'apt-get install apache'!

OSs don't teach people anything, documentation does. Which won't get
read anyway or at least be ignored.

> Maybe you don't get it.  A system that is compromised poses a danger
> to EVERYONE ON THE INTERNET.

So what? Try a cable-cutter.

-- 
stone me


--  
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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Bernhard R. Link

On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Jacob Meuser wrote:

> What I would like is for packages to not start a service immediately
> upon installation.

Though I do not understand this, I do not want to argue again, see my
other post...

> I don't want the installation of packages to
> put put links in /etc/rc?.d.

Why, just remove them after installing. Noone forces you to reboot just
after installation. And installing an package without the want to run it
is only a security flaw.


> Apache by default listens on port 80.  Apache is now listening for
> incoming internet connections on port 80.  Links have been installed
> in /etc/rc?.d, so that this machine will be listening for connections
> on port 80 everytime this machine is booted.
> Because you are running a service, it is VERY important that you
> read and follow the advice at http://www.debian.org/security/
>

This is only redicilous.

The car-analogy fits here very good.

Don't understand me wrong, I'm not again telling the user, if he does
something dangerous. But coffee is hot, and an server lowers security.
Why not also giving 5 pages of warnings, wenn configuring an networking-
connection (which is the real security problem) and making  the user to
type "Yes, I want to crash my computer" before installing, so that he
really knows, what can happen?



Hochachtungsvoll,
  Bernhard R. Link


--  
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--no-run option (was: Re: red worm amusement)

2001-07-22 Thread Bernhard R. Link

On Sun, 22 Jul 2001, Steven Barker wrote:

> I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> default, but it should be possible.

Why should anyone want to install a server without letting it run?


The standard-config is normally sane, and when you do not think so, place
another config-file there before installing it. ( If you are that paranoic
you should not only do ar -x xxx.deb ; tar -xzf data.tgz etc/configfile ,
but also check the whole package before installing it).


> would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> another flag).

Not adding rc.d-Links is really ridicilous. If you have an computer, that
justs boots after installing without the chance to change links, than you
should plug-out the network-cable so or so.

> This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
> and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
> simplicity of apt-get install foo.

I do not see a nesecarity for it. Though if you want to supply patches to
carry an --no-run in dpkg to some environment-variable to the script and
and patch to dh_xxx to check this, go ahead, but there are important and
senseful thing to do.

Hochachtungsvoll,
  Bernhard R. Link


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
Alright, I said I was bowing out, but I will reply to this last email.
In my first post, I may not have been completely clear.  I said that
OpenBSD doesn't start services that are insecure.  Now, we all know
that no service is totally secure, so that statement is somewhat of
an oxymoron.  However, no one on any OpenBSD mailing list is telling 
people to turn off the services that are started by default, while 
on this list, everyone is always saying to turn off inetd and
whatever else they are not using.  My point is, why should someone
have to go through the trouble of turning them off?  Why are they
started in the first place, if the advice it to immediately shut them
off?  If a person needs that service then they can turn it on, correct?
This extends to packages that are added to the base system.  I don't
think it's right to assume that one wants to start the service 
immediately.  The argument that you shouldn't install a service if
you don't know what you're doing just doesn't make sense.  If you
never install the package, then how are you going to know anything 
about it?  How are you going to customize a configuration file,
if you have no file to modify?

CaT's reply that packages are starting to made with provisions to
exit the init script before the service is started, is I guess really
the answer I was looking for.  Is that a new policy?  If it is, I
think it's a good one.

As to not waste any more innocent bystanders bandwidth/disk space,
if anyone wishes to further discuss the questions I raised above,
or try to flame me, please send your email to:

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:57:24AM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:11:04PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:08:36AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> 
> > > I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
> > > default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As
> 
> no i said the claim that OpenBSD starts no services was rubbish. NOT
> that openbsd was rubbish.
> 
> > > an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
> > > full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's
> 
> your the own who is full of it Jacob.
> 
> > If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.
> 
> yup.
> 
> > > a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
> > > about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
>
 > > could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
> > > ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 
> 
> because you (Jacob) made it quite clear you don't know anything about
> OpenBSD by making claims about it which are not true at all.
> 
> -- 
> Ethan Benson
> http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/




Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:11:04PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:08:36AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:

> > I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
> > default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As

no i said the claim that OpenBSD starts no services was rubbish. NOT
that openbsd was rubbish.

> > an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
> > full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's

your the own who is full of it Jacob.

> If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.

yup.

> > a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
> > about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
> > could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
> > ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 

because you (Jacob) made it quite clear you don't know anything about
OpenBSD by making claims about it which are not true at all.

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/


pgpxgMeBD0ZRm.pgp
Description: PGP signature


Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:11:04PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > Please, quote me on where I have contradicted that.
> 
> Right below.
> 
Nothing is contradicting that.

> 
> If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.
> 
Then I'm to ignore all other questions and ideas, as well personal
comments aimed at me as an individual?

> anyways. i'm bowing out.
> 
Since it seems that suggesting that maybe something in Debian is
not perfect, one will be personally ridiculed, and ridiculed further
for replying to those comments, I too am bowing out.

Although I never got any reason why they are started by default, 
other than "if a service is installed, it is assumed that the admin
wants it running".  To me, the tiny bit of time saved by the admin
is not worth the potential danger to new users.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:08:36AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 06:35:34PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > > For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> > > start a service, and it should not install the startup links in 
> > > /etc/rc?.d.
> > 
> > Then stick to that.
> 
> Please, quote me on where I have contradicted that.

Right below.

> > Noone is steering you offcourse. You're doing just that. You mention
> > that OpenBSD has been secure out-of-the-box for 4yrs and then when
> > ppl aren't impressed you chuck a hissy fit.
> 
> I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
> default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As
> an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
> full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's

If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.

> a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
> about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
> could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
> ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 

don't care. remember, this is meant to be about apt-get only?

anyways. i'm bowing out.

-- 
CaT ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) *** Jenna has joined the channel.
 speaking of mental giants..
 me, a giant, bullshit
 And i'm not mental
- An IRC session, 20/12/2000



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:44:19AM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> what part of `don't install the service if you don't need it/don't
> know how to configure it' don't you understand?  
> 
And when, during the installation, or regular use of Debain, is that
message ever displayed to the user?

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 06:35:34PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> > start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.
> 
> Then stick to that.

Please, quote me on where I have contradicted that.

> Noone is steering you offcourse. You're doing just that. You mention
> that OpenBSD has been secure out-of-the-box for 4yrs and then when
> ppl aren't impressed you chuck a hissy fit.
> 

I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As
an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's
a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:38:23AM -0700, Magus Ba'al wrote:
> No machine is 100% secure, except those machines that do not
> exist. Anyone who thinks their box is 100% secure has rocks in their
> heads, regardless what OS they are running.
> 
> Don't mean to sound like an annoyance, but I have a 100% secure
> computer. It's currently dissasembled, with the parts stored in
> different containers, and no OS on the hard drive. Crack that!

*grabs HD and installs it into another pc* ;)

> Sorry, just a poor stab at humor. While I've always been proud that the
> debian list has pretty much been better than any other list at keeping
> flame wars to a minimum, today is an exception. At times this latest
> thread has become "well, my cock is bigger, so I'm more right than

it's starting to feel that way.

> you!". Yes, maybe daemons should ask to be started during startup, or
> prompt to be configured like exim. But who's to say that a new user
> won't choose an option that leads them to be vulnerable. When I first

well. that'll be a concious choice by the user instead of an automated
one I guess.

> started I *know* I made some big mistakes. Maybe Debian should have some

mistakes are what we learn from the best. unfortunately they tend to
have the nastiest of sideeffects at times (but I guess that's why they
are such great teachers)

> firewall rules that are run to block vulnerable services when they are
> installed and then tell you how to unblock them. Maybe a billion
> different ways it could be, but it's not. I must commend the Debian team
> for maintaining the best distro, IMNSHO. I thought the Debian community

aye. we're dumping redhat/slackware boxes for debian. one of the primary
reasons is the ease with which you can keep the box uptodate and secure.

-- 
CaT ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) *** Jenna has joined the channel.
 speaking of mental giants..
 me, a giant, bullshit
 And i'm not mental
- An IRC session, 20/12/2000



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.
> 
> I could give a rats @$$ about what is Debian's base system.  Those aren't
> installed with apt-get install anyway.  I could give two $#1+$ about
> whether or not an OS is secure out of the box.  This is not a question
> about OSes, it's a question about installing packages that install 
> services.

oh so your trying to sluff your own ignorance and incompetence onto
debian because you installed a zillion services and didn't know what
they did thus opening lots of `security holes'.

yeah whatever.

what part of `don't install the service if you don't need it/don't
know how to configure it' don't you understand?  

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:40:11AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > that quote is pure marketing.  
> 
> Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
> Debian.  None.

that quote is still marketing, its backed up by excuses and lawyerly
nitpicking, not real fact.

> And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like
> any other OS, you must update when updates are available.

wrong.  default install of all versions of OpenBSD prior to 2.7 WERE
vulnerable because they turned on ftpd by default in the default
install.  the only reason they maintain that absurd `4 years without a
root hole' is because they narrowly obsoleted 2.6 with 2.7 before that
hole was discovered.  like i said: lawyerly nitpicking.

> Exactly.  The claim is that there is no REMOTE exploit.

and local exploits don't matter? exactly the response i expect from a
marketing person.

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/


pgpHxdeRowuRT.pgp
Description: PGP signature


RE: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Magus Ba'al
-Original Message-
From: CaT [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001 1:11 AM
To: Jacob Meuser
Cc: debian-security@lists.debian.org
Subject: Re: red worm amusement


No machine is 100% secure, except those machines that do not
exist. Anyone who thinks their box is 100% secure has rocks in their
heads, regardless what OS they are running.

Don't mean to sound like an annoyance, but I have a 100% secure
computer. It's currently dissasembled, with the parts stored in
different containers, and no OS on the hard drive. Crack that!

Sorry, just a poor stab at humor. While I've always been proud that the
debian list has pretty much been better than any other list at keeping
flame wars to a minimum, today is an exception. At times this latest
thread has become "well, my cock is bigger, so I'm more right than
you!". Yes, maybe daemons should ask to be started during startup, or
prompt to be configured like exim. But who's to say that a new user
won't choose an option that leads them to be vulnerable. When I first
started I *know* I made some big mistakes. Maybe Debian should have some
firewall rules that are run to block vulnerable services when they are
installed and then tell you how to unblock them. Maybe a billion
different ways it could be, but it's not. I must commend the Debian team
for maintaining the best distro, IMNSHO. I thought the Debian community
was better than the others due to the fact that we work together to come
up with ideas, not thinking 'My Way(tm)' is the only good option. So far
all the points brought up have been valid and very arguable. The problem
is that it's turning into a 'your idea sucks' pissing match. The best
idea is to gather all the ideas and pick the best way to do things.
Maybe the way it's currently done was the best of the ideas at the time.
Trying to get amy package maintainers to redo their packages at the snap
of a finger is ridiculous. Maybe we should try putting our heads
together and find the best solution to securely
installing/configuring/starting daemons, and then present that to the
Debian team? Maybe someone has a better idea than I do on how to get
stuff changed. The point is to work together!

All flames are welcome is you are so inclined. But please email me
directly, and me only. Do not reply, CC/BCC the list directly if you
really need to get some aggression out. Thanks!



Steven Beverly


"I am the Illustrious Postmaster and Grand Poobah of Electronic
Transmissions" -Mary Jo Pehl, MST3K

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not
become a monster...when you gaze long into the abyss the abyss also
gazes
into you." -Friedrich Nietzsche






Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.

Then stick to that.

> I could give a rats @$$ about what is Debian's base system.  Those aren't
> installed with apt-get install anyway.  I could give two $#1+$ about
> whether or not an OS is secure out of the box.  This is not a question
> about OSes, it's a question about installing packages that install 
> services.
> 
> Please don't try to steer me off course, and then say I keep changing
> my position.  It's simply not polite, and rather silly.

Noone is steering you offcourse. You're doing just that. You mention
that OpenBSD has been secure out-of-the-box for 4yrs and then when
ppl aren't impressed you chuck a hissy fit.

*shrug*

-- 
CaT ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) *** Jenna has joined the channel.
 speaking of mental giants..
 me, a giant, bullshit
 And i'm not mental
- An IRC session, 20/12/2000



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.

I could give a rats @$$ about what is Debian's base system.  Those aren't
installed with apt-get install anyway.  I could give two $#1+$ about
whether or not an OS is secure out of the box.  This is not a question
about OSes, it's a question about installing packages that install 
services.

Please don't try to steer me off course, and then say I keep changing
my position.  It's simply not polite, and rather silly.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 06:05:18PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:40:11AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 10:26:38PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> > > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:02:54PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > Oh, I guess anyone can say something like "Four years without a remote
> > > > hole in the default install!" on the internet, where anyone is free to
> > > 
> > > that quote is pure marketing.  
> > 
> > Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
> > Debian.  None.
> 
> You don't need a marketing department to practice the 'art' of marketing.
> 
> > > they don't count the recent ftpd remote
> > > root hole in that `four years' because they stopped activitating ftpd
> > > in the default install of OpenBSD 2.7, which was released only a very
> > > short time before the hole was discovered.
> > 
> > And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like
> 
> Debian's default install is not vulnerable to attacks either. Your point?
> 
> -- 
> CaT ([EMAIL PROTECTED])   *** Jenna has joined the channel.
>speaking of mental giants..
>me, a giant, bullshit
>And i'm not mental
>   - An IRC session, 20/12/2000
> 
> 



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

Alright, I said I was bowing out, but I will reply to this last email.
In my first post, I may not have been completely clear.  I said that
OpenBSD doesn't start services that are insecure.  Now, we all know
that no service is totally secure, so that statement is somewhat of
an oxymoron.  However, no one on any OpenBSD mailing list is telling 
people to turn off the services that are started by default, while 
on this list, everyone is always saying to turn off inetd and
whatever else they are not using.  My point is, why should someone
have to go through the trouble of turning them off?  Why are they
started in the first place, if the advice it to immediately shut them
off?  If a person needs that service then they can turn it on, correct?
This extends to packages that are added to the base system.  I don't
think it's right to assume that one wants to start the service 
immediately.  The argument that you shouldn't install a service if
you don't know what you're doing just doesn't make sense.  If you
never install the package, then how are you going to know anything 
about it?  How are you going to customize a configuration file,
if you have no file to modify?

CaT's reply that packages are starting to made with provisions to
exit the init script before the service is started, is I guess really
the answer I was looking for.  Is that a new policy?  If it is, I
think it's a good one.

As to not waste any more innocent bystanders bandwidth/disk space,
if anyone wishes to further discuss the questions I raised above,
or try to flame me, please send your email to:

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:57:24AM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:11:04PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:08:36AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> 
> > > I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
> > > default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As
> 
> no i said the claim that OpenBSD starts no services was rubbish. NOT
> that openbsd was rubbish.
> 
> > > an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
> > > full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's
> 
> your the own who is full of it Jacob.
> 
> > If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.
> 
> yup.
> 
> > > a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
> > > about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
>
 > > could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
> > > ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 
> 
> because you (Jacob) made it quite clear you don't know anything about
> OpenBSD by making claims about it which are not true at all.
> 
> -- 
> Ethan Benson
> http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/



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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:32:00AM -0600, Hubert Chan wrote:
> 
> I'm not sure that would be an effective warning, and it may even be
> confusing to people, as it does not indicate that there is a potential
> security risk, but just tells them to read the security pages.
> 
Hmmm, silly me referenced http://www.debian.org/security/ before I looked
at it.  I assumed there would at least be some links to more security
information, as the first thing it says is "Debian takes security very
seriously."  Then it goes on to talk about reactive security, not
proactive security.  

> Or something like exim, where you configure it in the installation
> process, before it gets started.
> 
At least it lets you set it up for local service only.  

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:54:49PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > 
> > You know. You're right. We should make it as difficult as possible
> > to install software. Right down to removing makefiles from source
> > repositories and rot13ing the source code because the harder it is
> > to install a piece of software, the more secure a box is.
> 
> No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.  I mean really,

That wasn't what you were saying before. You were saying that the
ease of install you get with apt-get is bad. This is a rather different
issue.

> who in their right mind starts a service without looking at the config
> files?  How hard is it to add the links from /etc/rc?.d to /etc/init.d
> (isn't there script to do this anyway)?

Some packages already practice safety-first. You need to remove an
echo and an exit from the init.d once you're good and ready. This
just has to become more widespread.

Then again, most of the time I install a service (>90%) I want it
to start running immediately. apache, ftp etc I compile by hand.

> > And then the computer you just spent a few grand on will be about
> > as useful as a toaster without heating elements.
> 
> That's better than them getting sued for a hell of a lot more than they
> paid for their machine because someone launched an attack from their
> machine, and they can't prove they didn't to it.

No machine is 100% secure, except those machines that do not exist.
Anyone who thinks their box is 100% secure has rocks in their heads,
regardless what OS they are running.

-- 
CaT ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) *** Jenna has joined the channel.
 speaking of mental giants..
 me, a giant, bullshit
 And i'm not mental
- An IRC session, 20/12/2000



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:40:11AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 10:26:38PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:02:54PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > > 
> > > Oh, I guess anyone can say something like "Four years without a remote
> > > hole in the default install!" on the internet, where anyone is free to
> > 
> > that quote is pure marketing.  
> 
> Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
> Debian.  None.

You don't need a marketing department to practice the 'art' of marketing.

> > they don't count the recent ftpd remote
> > root hole in that `four years' because they stopped activitating ftpd
> > in the default install of OpenBSD 2.7, which was released only a very
> > short time before the hole was discovered.
> 
> And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like

Debian's default install is not vulnerable to attacks either. Your point?

-- 
CaT ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) *** Jenna has joined the channel.
 speaking of mental giants..
 me, a giant, bullshit
 And i'm not mental
- An IRC session, 20/12/2000



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:03:23AM -0500, Nathan E Norman wrote:
> 
> Oh, grow up.  I did not "attack" you, I questioned the wisdom of
> comparing running services on a computer to the politically loaded
> question of guns.
> 
"You are beginning to sound like a troll." - Nathan E Norman

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 10:26:38PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:02:54PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > 
> > Oh, I guess anyone can say something like "Four years without a remote
> > hole in the default install!" on the internet, where anyone is free to
> 
> that quote is pure marketing.  

Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
Debian.  None.

> they don't count the recent ftpd remote
> root hole in that `four years' because they stopped activitating ftpd
> in the default install of OpenBSD 2.7, which was released only a very
> short time before the hole was discovered.

And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like
any other OS, you must update when updates are available.

> the kernel hole (basically
> the same ptrace race the linux kernel had previous to 2.2.19) was only
> locally exploitable so that `doesn't count' since its not remote.
>
Exactly.  The claim is that there is no REMOTE exploit.
 
> > If anyone who reads the posts I made looks at them with an objective
> > outlook, they will see that my message is clearly stated.
> 
> no its not you change your position every time a falicy is pointed
> out.  
>
What?  What?  I'm sorry, say that again.  What falacies are you talking
about?  My position is, and always has been, that 'apt-get install'
should not start the service, and should not put startup links in
/etc/rd?.d.
 
> and you keep pointing at OpenBSD as an example of a distribution that
> doesn't start any services, if you had ever actually installed an
> OpenBSD box you would see that is not true.  

You have a short memory don't you Ethan?  The last time I mentioned
OpenBSD on this list, you jumped all over me like you have this time.
Do you have something against OpenBSD?  Was you're experience with
OpenBSD 2.6 that bad?  What, did you ask some silly question on an
OpenBSD mailing list, and get flamed so bad you're still burning?
I happen to be using OpenBSD to write this email.  Next to me is my
OpenBSD server, and when this I send this message, it will go through
my OpenBSD firewall.  Are you offended by the number of time I just
wrote OpenBSD?  I never claimed OpenBSD doesn't start ANY services.

>
> as for debian services are only started if you install them, a very
> logical assumption.

Not really.  Someone just posted an example of where he installed
apache, but only needed it for a very short while.  It is logical
to assume that if a package is installed, it is for a reason.  It
is not logical to assume that there is a need to start it immediately,
and everytime the machine is booted.

> criticising debian's choices in regards to what
> services are priority: standard could be a valid argument.
>
I'll leave that to you.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Hubert Chan
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

> "Jacob" == Jacob Meuser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

Jacob> What I would like is for packages to not start a service
Jacob> immediately upon installation.  I don't want the installation of
Jacob> packages to put put links in /etc/rc?.d.  IF not that, then
Jacob> something like:

[cut]

I'm not sure that would be an effective warning, and it may even be
confusing to people, as it does not indicate that there is a potential
security risk, but just tells them to read the security pages.

Maybe something more like (disclaimer: it's late and I'm tired, so I
can't write a proper warning, but hopefully this should be enough to get
the idea across):

WARNING:
Apache has been started.  Web servers in general potentially open up a
large security hole.  By running Apache, you may be vulnerable to [[list
the relevant types of attacks]].  If you are not sure about what you are
doing, please stop Apache at the first available moment by running
"/etc/init.d/apache stop" and by removing the relevant links in
/etc/rc?.d, and please read http://www.debian.org/security/.  When you
are confident that you know what you're doing then you may re-enable
Apache.

Having said that, I'll toss in my vote for not starting the services
immediately on installation.  At least give the admin a chance to
configure it.

Or something like exim, where you configure it in the installation
process, before it gets started.

- -- 
Hubert Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - http://www.geocities.com/hubertchan/
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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:11:04PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:08:36AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:

> > I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
> > default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As

no i said the claim that OpenBSD starts no services was rubbish. NOT
that openbsd was rubbish.

> > an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
> > full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's

your the own who is full of it Jacob.

> If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.

yup.

> > a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
> > about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
> > could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
> > ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 

because you (Jacob) made it quite clear you don't know anything about
OpenBSD by making claims about it which are not true at all.

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/

 PGP signature


Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Steven Barker
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:

> > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> > default, but it should be possible.

> But that doesn't change the default.  If you do something like this,
> you should add an option "apt-get --run install foo"

Yes, that would make sense.  Both --run and --no-run could be avalable as
options with the default behavior determined by apt/dpkg configuration.  As
for what the default for apt/dpkg's config, that's for us to flame each
other over... ;-)

> Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir 
> that
> packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> non-existance before starting...

Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.

-- 
Steven Barker  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  There's so much to say but your eyes keep interrupting me.
PGP Key Fingerprint: 1A33 9F2E 368D 24B1 81D4  60BF E928 9E28 958F 2058



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:11:04PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > Please, quote me on where I have contradicted that.
> 
> Right below.
> 
Nothing is contradicting that.

> 
> If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.
> 
Then I'm to ignore all other questions and ideas, as well personal
comments aimed at me as an individual?

> anyways. i'm bowing out.
> 
Since it seems that suggesting that maybe something in Debian is
not perfect, one will be personally ridiculed, and ridiculed further
for replying to those comments, I too am bowing out.

Although I never got any reason why they are started by default, 
other than "if a service is installed, it is assumed that the admin
wants it running".  To me, the tiny bit of time saved by the admin
is not worth the potential danger to new users.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Nathan E Norman
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:01:55AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> Well, someone has decided to attack me for using an analogy, so I will
> refrain from saying how this doesn't go with what I'm saying.

Oh, grow up.  I did not "attack" you, I questioned the wisdom of
comparing running services on a computer to the politically loaded
question of guns.

-- 
Nathan Norman - Staff Engineer | A good plan today is better
Micromuse Ltd. | than a perfect plan tomorrow.
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   |   -- Patton


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Mike Fedyk
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> > No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.
> 
> 
...
> 
> I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> default, but it should be possible.
> 
> I'm sure there are many ways this could work.  Perhaps:
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]:/etc# apt-get install --no-run apache
> 
> would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> another flag).
> 
> This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
> and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
> simplicity of apt-get install foo.
> 

But that doesn't change the default.  If you do something like this,
you should add an option "apt-get --run install foo"

Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir 
that
packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
non-existance before starting...

Mike



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:42:28AM +0200, Martin Bieder wrote:
> 
> WARNING: You have started this car! You are about to drive this car.
> That means, you will be moving, what means that accidents could be
> harmful for you. Do you really want to proceed?
> 
>  [Yes]   [No][Abort]
> 
> 
> 
> Do you want something like that?
> 
> SCNR
> 
Well, someone has decided to attack me for using an analogy, so I will
refrain from saying how this doesn't go with what I'm saying.

What I would like is for packages to not start a service immediately
upon installation.  I don't want the installation of packages to
put put links in /etc/rc?.d.  IF not that, then something like:

- WARNING --

Apache by default listens on port 80.  Apache is now listening for 
incoming internet connections on port 80.  Links have been installed
in /etc/rc?.d, so that this machine will be listening for connections 
on port 80 everytime this machine is booted. 
Because you are running a service, it is VERY important that you
read and follow the advice at http://www.debian.org/security/ 



<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Steven Barker
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:



> No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.



Well, I'm going to wade into this growing flamewar to point out what I think
is a sound idea.  The trouble with the current system is that installed
daemons automatically start running with a default configuration.  This is
not always bad, but does not allow a paranoid sysadmin to protect themselves
(short of ugly workarounds like taking down the network interface until the
server is shut off).

I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
default, but it should be possible.

I'm sure there are many ways this could work.  Perhaps:

[EMAIL PROTECTED]:/etc# apt-get install --no-run apache

would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
another flag).

This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
simplicity of apt-get install foo.

-- 
Steven Barker  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Perhaps, after all, America never has been discovered.  I myself would
  say that it had merely been detected.
-- Oscar Wilde
PGP Key Fingerprint: 1A33 9F2E 368D 24B1 81D4  60BF E928 9E28 958F 2058



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:08:36AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 06:35:34PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > > For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> > > start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.
> > 
> > Then stick to that.
> 
> Please, quote me on where I have contradicted that.

Right below.

> > Noone is steering you offcourse. You're doing just that. You mention
> > that OpenBSD has been secure out-of-the-box for 4yrs and then when
> > ppl aren't impressed you chuck a hissy fit.
> 
> I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
> default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As
> an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
> full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's

If you only wanted to talk about apt-get you should've stuck to it.

> a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
> about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
> could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
> ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 

don't care. remember, this is meant to be about apt-get only?

anyways. i'm bowing out.

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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:44:19AM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> what part of `don't install the service if you don't need it/don't
> know how to configure it' don't you understand?  
> 
And when, during the installation, or regular use of Debain, is that
message ever displayed to the user?

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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:39:36PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> I think it is quite fitting.

i think is a 21st century varient of Godwin's law developing.

-- 
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http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 06:35:34PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> > start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.
> 
> Then stick to that.

Please, quote me on where I have contradicted that.

> Noone is steering you offcourse. You're doing just that. You mention
> that OpenBSD has been secure out-of-the-box for 4yrs and then when
> ppl aren't impressed you chuck a hissy fit.
> 

I mentioned that OpenBSD has a policy of not starting services by
default.  Ethan Benson went off on how OpenBSD is "rubbish".  As
an OpenBSD user, I felt I should point out that he was the one
full of rubbish.  I really don't care whether people think it's
a good idea or not.  I just wish they'd discuss the issue I'm talking
about.  I mean really, Ethan claimed I never installed OpenBSD.  How
could he have ever known whether or not that is true?  Someone called 
ME a troll!?!?!?!?! 


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:42:28AM +0200, Martin Bieder wrote:
> 
> WARNING: You have started this car! You are about to drive this car.
> That means, you will be moving, what means that accidents could be
> harmful for you. Do you really want to proceed?
> 
>  [Yes]   [No][Abort]
> 
> 
> 
> Do you want something like that?

or:

WARNING: Coffee is served HOT! [0]

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/

[0] for those who don't remember there was a case some years ago where
a woman sued McDonalds after she spilled a cup of thier coffee in her
lap and as a result was burned, her argument was that she didn't know
coffee was hot.

This is why to this day McDonalds' coffee cups have a warning printed
all around them saying: WARNING COFFEE IS HOT!!  -- at least in the
lawsuit happy US.


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:34:50AM -0500, Nathan E Norman wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:28:35PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > PS We don't give guns to children, do we?
> 
> What the hell does this have to do with running services on a freaking
> computer connected to the Internet?  You are beginning to sound like a
> troll.

You don't give a gun to a child because it is likely they will hurt
themselves or others because they don't know what it does.

Similarly, running a service without knowing what it does can hurt
the operator, and leave their box open to attacks being launched
from their box, thereby hurting others.

I think it is quite fitting.
> 
> HINT: It's difficult to kill someone with a computer without regard to
> whether the computer operator is a child.  Obfuscating the issue with
> inane comparisons to loaded political issues generally means you can't
> argue your original position effectively.
> 
Well, it's kind of hard to argue a point, when pople start steering
the discussion in bizzare directions.  I thought maybe I had to
put it in simpler terms.  Aparently that was not a good idea, as now 
that has born yet another pointless post.  

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:02:54PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> 
> Oh, I guess anyone can say something like "Four years without a remote
> hole in the default install!" on the internet, where anyone is free to

that quote is pure marketing.  they don't count the recent ftpd remote
root hole in that `four years' because they stopped activitating ftpd
in the default install of OpenBSD 2.7, which was released only a very
short time before the hole was discovered.  the kernel hole (basically
the same ptrace race the linux kernel had previous to 2.2.19) was only
locally exploitable so that `doesn't count' since its not remote.

> prove them wrong, and get away with it?  Assuming it is "rubbish", as
> you say.

try reading bugtraq.  

> If anyone who reads the posts I made looks at them with an objective
> outlook, they will see that my message is clearly stated.

no its not you change your position every time a falicy is pointed
out.  

> Starting services by default is a bad idea.

and you keep pointing at OpenBSD as an example of a distribution that
doesn't start any services, if you had ever actually installed an
OpenBSD box you would see that is not true.  

as for debian services are only started if you install them, a very
logical assumption.  criticising debian's choices in regards to what
services are priority: standard could be a valid argument.

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Hubert Chan
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

> "Martin" == Martin Bieder <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

Martin> WARNING: You have started this car! You are about to drive this
Martin> car.  That means, you will be moving, what means that accidents
Martin> could be harmful for you. Do you really want to proceed?

Martin>  [Yes] [No] [Abort]

Umm.  Bad analogy here.  You have to be *tested* before you can drive a
car.  It is not _legal_ to drive without a license.

If we had the same sort of standards for computer use, though, we wouldn't
have as much of a security problem as we do have.

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fHSAyKPtablyy/xzQBikHfc=
=UWQc
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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:38:23AM -0700, Magus Ba'al wrote:
> No machine is 100% secure, except those machines that do not
> exist. Anyone who thinks their box is 100% secure has rocks in their
> heads, regardless what OS they are running.
> 
> Don't mean to sound like an annoyance, but I have a 100% secure
> computer. It's currently dissasembled, with the parts stored in
> different containers, and no OS on the hard drive. Crack that!

*grabs HD and installs it into another pc* ;)

> Sorry, just a poor stab at humor. While I've always been proud that the
> debian list has pretty much been better than any other list at keeping
> flame wars to a minimum, today is an exception. At times this latest
> thread has become "well, my cock is bigger, so I'm more right than

it's starting to feel that way.

> you!". Yes, maybe daemons should ask to be started during startup, or
> prompt to be configured like exim. But who's to say that a new user
> won't choose an option that leads them to be vulnerable. When I first

well. that'll be a concious choice by the user instead of an automated
one I guess.

> started I *know* I made some big mistakes. Maybe Debian should have some

mistakes are what we learn from the best. unfortunately they tend to
have the nastiest of sideeffects at times (but I guess that's why they
are such great teachers)

> firewall rules that are run to block vulnerable services when they are
> installed and then tell you how to unblock them. Maybe a billion
> different ways it could be, but it's not. I must commend the Debian team
> for maintaining the best distro, IMNSHO. I thought the Debian community

aye. we're dumping redhat/slackware boxes for debian. one of the primary
reasons is the ease with which you can keep the box uptodate and secure.

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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:34:47AM -0500, Rob VanFleet wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 07:52:02PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > And whose going to teach them?  Certainly not an OS that makes it as
> > easy as 'apt-get install apache' !
> 
> Well, your solution of making it more obfuscated and difficult will
> cause even more of a problem.  Many new users will simply say "This is
> annoying, I'll install PWS on my Windows box instead."
> 
> Now which is more of a 'danger'?
> 
I have not proposed any type of "solution".  What is so obfuscated
about having to manually start a service, or add startup links in
/etc/rc?.d?

At least if someone got comprimised on Win, then Win would look
bad, not Debian.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.
> 
> I could give a rats @$$ about what is Debian's base system.  Those aren't
> installed with apt-get install anyway.  I could give two $#1+$ about
> whether or not an OS is secure out of the box.  This is not a question
> about OSes, it's a question about installing packages that install 
> services.

oh so your trying to sluff your own ignorance and incompetence onto
debian because you installed a zillion services and didn't know what
they did thus opening lots of `security holes'.

yeah whatever.

what part of `don't install the service if you don't need it/don't
know how to configure it' don't you understand?  

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/

 PGP signature


Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Ethan Benson

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:40:11AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > that quote is pure marketing.  
> 
> Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
> Debian.  None.

that quote is still marketing, its backed up by excuses and lawyerly
nitpicking, not real fact.

> And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like
> any other OS, you must update when updates are available.

wrong.  default install of all versions of OpenBSD prior to 2.7 WERE
vulnerable because they turned on ftpd by default in the default
install.  the only reason they maintain that absurd `4 years without a
root hole' is because they narrowly obsoleted 2.6 with 2.7 before that
hole was discovered.  like i said: lawyerly nitpicking.

> Exactly.  The claim is that there is no REMOTE exploit.

and local exploits don't matter? exactly the response i expect from a
marketing person.

-- 
Ethan Benson
http://www.alaska.net/~erbenson/

 PGP signature


RE: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Magus Ba'al

-Original Message-
From: CaT [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] 
Sent: Sunday, July 22, 2001 1:11 AM
To: Jacob Meuser
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: red worm amusement


No machine is 100% secure, except those machines that do not
exist. Anyone who thinks their box is 100% secure has rocks in their
heads, regardless what OS they are running.

Don't mean to sound like an annoyance, but I have a 100% secure
computer. It's currently dissasembled, with the parts stored in
different containers, and no OS on the hard drive. Crack that!

Sorry, just a poor stab at humor. While I've always been proud that the
debian list has pretty much been better than any other list at keeping
flame wars to a minimum, today is an exception. At times this latest
thread has become "well, my cock is bigger, so I'm more right than
you!". Yes, maybe daemons should ask to be started during startup, or
prompt to be configured like exim. But who's to say that a new user
won't choose an option that leads them to be vulnerable. When I first
started I *know* I made some big mistakes. Maybe Debian should have some
firewall rules that are run to block vulnerable services when they are
installed and then tell you how to unblock them. Maybe a billion
different ways it could be, but it's not. I must commend the Debian team
for maintaining the best distro, IMNSHO. I thought the Debian community
was better than the others due to the fact that we work together to come
up with ideas, not thinking 'My Way(tm)' is the only good option. So far
all the points brought up have been valid and very arguable. The problem
is that it's turning into a 'your idea sucks' pissing match. The best
idea is to gather all the ideas and pick the best way to do things.
Maybe the way it's currently done was the best of the ideas at the time.
Trying to get amy package maintainers to redo their packages at the snap
of a finger is ridiculous. Maybe we should try putting our heads
together and find the best solution to securely
installing/configuring/starting daemons, and then present that to the
Debian team? Maybe someone has a better idea than I do on how to get
stuff changed. The point is to work together!

All flames are welcome is you are so inclined. But please email me
directly, and me only. Do not reply, CC/BCC the list directly if you
really need to get some aggression out. Thanks!



Steven Beverly


"I am the Illustrious Postmaster and Grand Poobah of Electronic
Transmissions" -Mary Jo Pehl, MST3K

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not
become a monster...when you gaze long into the abyss the abyss also
gazes
into you." -Friedrich Nietzsche





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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:37:29AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
> start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.

Then stick to that.

> I could give a rats @$$ about what is Debian's base system.  Those aren't
> installed with apt-get install anyway.  I could give two $#1+$ about
> whether or not an OS is secure out of the box.  This is not a question
> about OSes, it's a question about installing packages that install 
> services.
> 
> Please don't try to steer me off course, and then say I keep changing
> my position.  It's simply not polite, and rather silly.

Noone is steering you offcourse. You're doing just that. You mention
that OpenBSD has been secure out-of-the-box for 4yrs and then when
ppl aren't impressed you chuck a hissy fit.

*shrug*

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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

For the last time: I am saying that apt-get install should not immediately
start a service, and it should not install the startup links in /etc/rc?.d.

I could give a rats @$$ about what is Debian's base system.  Those aren't
installed with apt-get install anyway.  I could give two $#1+$ about
whether or not an OS is secure out of the box.  This is not a question
about OSes, it's a question about installing packages that install 
services.

Please don't try to steer me off course, and then say I keep changing
my position.  It's simply not polite, and rather silly.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 06:05:18PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:40:11AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 10:26:38PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> > > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:02:54PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > > > 
> > > > Oh, I guess anyone can say something like "Four years without a remote
> > > > hole in the default install!" on the internet, where anyone is free to
> > > 
> > > that quote is pure marketing.  
> > 
> > Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
> > Debian.  None.
> 
> You don't need a marketing department to practice the 'art' of marketing.
> 
> > > they don't count the recent ftpd remote
> > > root hole in that `four years' because they stopped activitating ftpd
> > > in the default install of OpenBSD 2.7, which was released only a very
> > > short time before the hole was discovered.
> > 
> > And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like
> 
> Debian's default install is not vulnerable to attacks either. Your point?
> 
> -- 
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>me, a giant, bullshit
>And i'm not mental
>   - An IRC session, 20/12/2000
> 
> 


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 01:32:00AM -0600, Hubert Chan wrote:
> 
> I'm not sure that would be an effective warning, and it may even be
> confusing to people, as it does not indicate that there is a potential
> security risk, but just tells them to read the security pages.
> 
Hmmm, silly me referenced http://www.debian.org/security/ before I looked
at it.  I assumed there would at least be some links to more security
information, as the first thing it says is "Debian takes security very
seriously."  Then it goes on to talk about reactive security, not
proactive security.  

> Or something like exim, where you configure it in the installation
> process, before it gets started.
> 
At least it lets you set it up for local service only.  

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Martin Bieder
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 04:39:48PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
 
> "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

Fool me twice?
Our hospital is building a network and needs special software. The
only software we found usefull runs under Win. We would have installed
linux, but we are nearly *forced* to use Win.
We are forced to use Win2000 (and not cheaper used licences of NT4) and
office2000 (and not cheaper used licences of office97), because support
for NT and office97 ends in 2002.
Don't want to talk about how M$ interprets support, but these are
facts, that impress people, who have to decide.

We are all wearing black...

Greeting from Unna/Ger
Martin



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT

On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:54:49PM +1000, CaT wrote:
> > 
> > You know. You're right. We should make it as difficult as possible
> > to install software. Right down to removing makefiles from source
> > repositories and rot13ing the source code because the harder it is
> > to install a piece of software, the more secure a box is.
> 
> No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.  I mean really,

That wasn't what you were saying before. You were saying that the
ease of install you get with apt-get is bad. This is a rather different
issue.

> who in their right mind starts a service without looking at the config
> files?  How hard is it to add the links from /etc/rc?.d to /etc/init.d
> (isn't there script to do this anyway)?

Some packages already practice safety-first. You need to remove an
echo and an exit from the init.d once you're good and ready. This
just has to become more widespread.

Then again, most of the time I install a service (>90%) I want it
to start running immediately. apache, ftp etc I compile by hand.

> > And then the computer you just spent a few grand on will be about
> > as useful as a toaster without heating elements.
> 
> That's better than them getting sued for a hell of a lot more than they
> paid for their machine because someone launched an attack from their
> machine, and they can't prove they didn't to it.

No machine is 100% secure, except those machines that do not exist.
Anyone who thinks their box is 100% secure has rocks in their heads,
regardless what OS they are running.

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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Martin Bieder
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 06:27:00PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 04:32:32PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:

 
> Not really what I was getting at.  I was saying this is TOO EASY.
> I'm saying that Debian doesn't do a good enough job of warning
> people about doing these things.  I'm thinking about first time
> users who are not behind a firewall.  I'm thinking about myself two 
> years ago, running apache, mysql, exim, telnetd, portmap, and
> who knows what else, all while directly connected to the internet.
> Sure, I had some idea that running servers could be dangerous, but
> as Debian touts itself as "secure", I figured it would tell me if
> I were doing something "dangerous".

WARNING: You have started this car! You are about to drive this car.
That means, you will be moving, what means that accidents could be
harmful for you. Do you really want to proceed?

 [Yes]   [No][Abort]



Do you want something like that?

SCNR

Greeting from Unna/Ger
Martin
 



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread CaT

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:40:11AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 10:26:38PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> > On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:02:54PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > > 
> > > Oh, I guess anyone can say something like "Four years without a remote
> > > hole in the default install!" on the internet, where anyone is free to
> > 
> > that quote is pure marketing.  
> 
> Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
> Debian.  None.

You don't need a marketing department to practice the 'art' of marketing.

> > they don't count the recent ftpd remote
> > root hole in that `four years' because they stopped activitating ftpd
> > in the default install of OpenBSD 2.7, which was released only a very
> > short time before the hole was discovered.
> 
> And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like

Debian's default install is not vulnerable to attacks either. Your point?

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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:03:23AM -0500, Nathan E Norman wrote:
> 
> Oh, grow up.  I did not "attack" you, I questioned the wisdom of
> comparing running services on a computer to the politically loaded
> question of guns.
> 
"You are beginning to sound like a troll." - Nathan E Norman

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Nathan E Norman
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:28:35PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> PS We don't give guns to children, do we?

What the hell does this have to do with running services on a freaking
computer connected to the Internet?  You are beginning to sound like a
troll.

HINT: It's difficult to kill someone with a computer without regard to
whether the computer operator is a child.  Obfuscating the issue with
inane comparisons to loaded political issues generally means you can't
argue your original position effectively.

Besides, I was a great shot as a child.

-- 
Nathan Norman - Staff Engineer | A good plan today is better
Micromuse Ltd. | than a perfect plan tomorrow.
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   |   -- Patton


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Rob VanFleet
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 07:52:02PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> And whose going to teach them?  Certainly not an OS that makes it as
> easy as 'apt-get install apache' !

Well, your solution of making it more obfuscated and difficult will
cause even more of a problem.  Many new users will simply say "This is
annoying, I'll install PWS on my Windows box instead."

Now which is more of a 'danger'?

-Rob



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Jacob Meuser

On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 10:26:38PM -0800, Ethan Benson wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 09:02:54PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> > 
> > Oh, I guess anyone can say something like "Four years without a remote
> > hole in the default install!" on the internet, where anyone is free to
> 
> that quote is pure marketing.  

Marketing?  OpenBSD has about as much of an adversising dept as does 
Debian.  None.

> they don't count the recent ftpd remote
> root hole in that `four years' because they stopped activitating ftpd
> in the default install of OpenBSD 2.7, which was released only a very
> short time before the hole was discovered.

And so the default install was not vulnerable to remote attacks.  Like
any other OS, you must update when updates are available.

> the kernel hole (basically
> the same ptrace race the linux kernel had previous to 2.2.19) was only
> locally exploitable so that `doesn't count' since its not remote.
>
Exactly.  The claim is that there is no REMOTE exploit.
 
> > If anyone who reads the posts I made looks at them with an objective
> > outlook, they will see that my message is clearly stated.
> 
> no its not you change your position every time a falicy is pointed
> out.  
>
What?  What?  I'm sorry, say that again.  What falacies are you talking
about?  My position is, and always has been, that 'apt-get install'
should not start the service, and should not put startup links in
/etc/rd?.d.
 
> and you keep pointing at OpenBSD as an example of a distribution that
> doesn't start any services, if you had ever actually installed an
> OpenBSD box you would see that is not true.  

You have a short memory don't you Ethan?  The last time I mentioned
OpenBSD on this list, you jumped all over me like you have this time.
Do you have something against OpenBSD?  Was you're experience with
OpenBSD 2.6 that bad?  What, did you ask some silly question on an
OpenBSD mailing list, and get flamed so bad you're still burning?
I happen to be using OpenBSD to write this email.  Next to me is my
OpenBSD server, and when this I send this message, it will go through
my OpenBSD firewall.  Are you offended by the number of time I just
wrote OpenBSD?  I never claimed OpenBSD doesn't start ANY services.

>
> as for debian services are only started if you install them, a very
> logical assumption.

Not really.  Someone just posted an example of where he installed
apache, but only needed it for a very short while.  It is logical
to assume that if a package is installed, it is for a reason.  It
is not logical to assume that there is a need to start it immediately,
and everytime the machine is booted.

> criticising debian's choices in regards to what
> services are priority: standard could be a valid argument.
>
I'll leave that to you.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Rob Hudson
> On 20010721.2117, Jacob Meuser said ...
>
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:21:09PM -0700, Nicole Zimmerman wrote:
> > 
> > > > last i used OpenBSD (2.6) it started portmap and identd by default at
> > > > the very least, maybe fingerd too i don't remember for sure.
> > > >
> > > The difference is, those were not exploitable. 
> > 
> > And they are on debian?
> 
> It seems everyone on this list YELLS at people who leave rpc.statd
> running.  I don't know whether it's exploitable or not, I know
> enough to turn it off because I don't use it.  I am not talking about
> people who know what they are doing.  I am talking about new users
> who have no practical knowledge of the system.  I'm talking about 
> protecting them from being immediately vulnerable.  If people are
> running services, they should know how to start and stop them, right?

I'm with you on this one.  I ran 'apt-get install apache' because I
wanted to run it once to configure Samba via Swat.  It irked me that
it started apache right away and set it up to start each time I
rebooted.  Not what I wanted, and I can see your point.  I would much
rather be running a system that depended on me to check the config   
before a service started, vulnerability or not.

-Rob



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Hubert Chan

-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1

> "Jacob" == Jacob Meuser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

Jacob> What I would like is for packages to not start a service
Jacob> immediately upon installation.  I don't want the installation of
Jacob> packages to put put links in /etc/rc?.d.  IF not that, then
Jacob> something like:

[cut]

I'm not sure that would be an effective warning, and it may even be
confusing to people, as it does not indicate that there is a potential
security risk, but just tells them to read the security pages.

Maybe something more like (disclaimer: it's late and I'm tired, so I
can't write a proper warning, but hopefully this should be enough to get
the idea across):

WARNING:
Apache has been started.  Web servers in general potentially open up a
large security hole.  By running Apache, you may be vulnerable to [[list
the relevant types of attacks]].  If you are not sure about what you are
doing, please stop Apache at the first available moment by running
"/etc/init.d/apache stop" and by removing the relevant links in
/etc/rc?.d, and please read http://www.debian.org/security/.  When you
are confident that you know what you're doing then you may re-enable
Apache.

Having said that, I'll toss in my vote for not starting the services
immediately on installation.  At least give the admin a chance to
configure it.

Or something like exim, where you configure it in the installation
process, before it gets started.

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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Steven Barker

On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 11:59:17PM -0700, Mike Fedyk wrote:
> On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:

> > I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> > without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> > default, but it should be possible.

> But that doesn't change the default.  If you do something like this,
> you should add an option "apt-get --run install foo"

Yes, that would make sense.  Both --run and --no-run could be avalable as
options with the default behavior determined by apt/dpkg configuration.  As
for what the default for apt/dpkg's config, that's for us to flame each
other over... ;-)

> Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir that
> packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
> commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
> non-existance before starting...

Well, now we're getting into heavy policy stuff  I think it would be hard
enough to get all the daemon postinst scripts to work in run and no-run mode.

-- 
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  There's so much to say but your eyes keep interrupting me.
PGP Key Fingerprint: 1A33 9F2E 368D 24B1 81D4  60BF E928 9E28 958F 2058


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-22 Thread Rob Hudson
> On 20010721.2117, Jacob Meuser said ...
>
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:21:09PM -0700, Nicole Zimmerman wrote:
> > 
> > > > last i used OpenBSD (2.6) it started portmap and identd by default at
> > > > the very least, maybe fingerd too i don't remember for sure.
> > > >
> > > The difference is, those were not exploitable. 
> > 
> > And they are on debian?
> 
> It seems everyone on this list YELLS at people who leave rpc.statd
> running.  I don't know whether it's exploitable or not, I know
> enough to turn it off because I don't use it.  I am not talking about
> people who know what they are doing.  I am talking about new users
> who have no practical knowledge of the system.  I'm talking about 
> protecting them from being immediately vulnerable.  If people are
> running services, they should know how to start and stop them, right?

I'm with you on this one.  I ran 'apt-get install apache' because I
wanted to run it once to configure Samba via Swat.  It irked me that
it started apache right away and set it up to start each time I
rebooted.  Not what I wanted, and I can see your point.  I would much
rather be running a system that depended on me to check the config
before a service started, vulnerability or not.

-Rob



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-21 Thread SDiZ Cheng
Microsoft Windows is not really bad, if you know how to admin it.
However, Microsoft give this on its web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/NTWorkstation/downloads/Recommended/Featured/NTZAK.
asp
Oh my god... "Zero Administration" ?

Luckily, Debian is asking their administrator check for security updates
periodiclly.



Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-21 Thread Nathan E Norman

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 12:01:55AM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> Well, someone has decided to attack me for using an analogy, so I will
> refrain from saying how this doesn't go with what I'm saying.

Oh, grow up.  I did not "attack" you, I questioned the wisdom of
comparing running services on a computer to the politically loaded
question of guns.

-- 
Nathan Norman - Staff Engineer | A good plan today is better
Micromuse Ltd. | than a perfect plan tomorrow.
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]   |   -- Patton

 PGP signature


Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-21 Thread Mike Fedyk

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 02:50:14AM -0400, Steven Barker wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> > No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.
> 
> 
...
> 
> I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
> without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
> default, but it should be possible.
> 
> I'm sure there are many ways this could work.  Perhaps:
> 
> root@foobar:/etc# apt-get install --no-run apache
> 
> would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
> sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
> and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
> another flag).
> 
> This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
> and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
> simplicity of apt-get install foo.
> 

But that doesn't change the default.  If you do something like this,
you should add an option "apt-get --run install foo"

Personally, I think there should either be a /etc/do-not-start/ dir that
packages' init scripts check for non-existance before starting, or a
commented entry in the config file that the init script checks for
non-existance before starting...

Mike


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-21 Thread Jacob Meuser

On Sun, Jul 22, 2001 at 07:42:28AM +0200, Martin Bieder wrote:
> 
> WARNING: You have started this car! You are about to drive this car.
> That means, you will be moving, what means that accidents could be
> harmful for you. Do you really want to proceed?
> 
>  [Yes]   [No][Abort]
> 
> 
> 
> Do you want something like that?
> 
> SCNR
> 
Well, someone has decided to attack me for using an analogy, so I will
refrain from saying how this doesn't go with what I'm saying.

What I would like is for packages to not start a service immediately
upon installation.  I don't want the installation of packages to
put put links in /etc/rc?.d.  IF not that, then something like:

- WARNING --

Apache by default listens on port 80.  Apache is now listening for 
incoming internet connections on port 80.  Links have been installed
in /etc/rc?.d, so that this machine will be listening for connections 
on port 80 everytime this machine is booted. 
Because you are running a service, it is VERY important that you
read and follow the advice at http://www.debian.org/security/ 



<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>


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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-21 Thread Steven Barker

On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 08:51:23PM -0700, Jacob Meuser wrote:



> No, I'm simply saying not to start services immediately.



Well, I'm going to wade into this growing flamewar to point out what I think
is a sound idea.  The trouble with the current system is that installed
daemons automatically start running with a default configuration.  This is
not always bad, but does not allow a paranoid sysadmin to protect themselves
(short of ugly workarounds like taking down the network interface until the
server is shut off).

I think that there should be a way to install a debian server packages
without having the installation scripts start the server.  This need not be
default, but it should be possible.

I'm sure there are many ways this could work.  Perhaps:

root@foobar:/etc# apt-get install --no-run apache

would download, install and configure apache, but not run it.  When the
sysadmin was satisfied with the configureation files, etc, then update-rc.d
and such could be run by hand (or by another call to apt-get/dpkg with
another flag).

This would have to be both a policy change and a technical change in apt
and/or dpkg.  I think it would be a good compromise between security and the
simplicity of apt-get install foo.

-- 
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  Perhaps, after all, America never has been discovered.  I myself would
  say that it had merely been detected.
-- Oscar Wilde
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Re: red worm amusement

2001-07-21 Thread Jacob Meuser
On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 10:34:56PM -0500, Dana J. Laude wrote:
> On Sat, Jul 21, 2001 at 06:27:00PM -0700  Jacob Meuser wrote:
> 
> IMHO, no distribution is secure out of the box.  Hell,
> even OpenBSD has had major blunders in their lastest
> release.  Security is, after all... an ongoing issue
> that needs to be dealt with *all* the time.
> 
I couldn't agree more.  I never said OpenBSD was more secure than
Debian.  I merely pointed out that I think their policy of not starting
services (perhaps I should qualify that as "services that are added
to the default base system") is a good policy.

The only reason I suggested that is because, IIRC, this thread started
with someone bashing M$ because they say its easy to administer their
products.  I have heard a lot of advocacy for Debian based on ease 
of use.  That's the problem, it's too easy to put yourself in a bad
situation.

<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

PS We don't give guns to children, do we?



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