4 ms·

> But this is still a risk, as the link to the app that does the syncing could be blocked to maintain a vulnerability If you can mitm the dns or ip you can sti

by hjlklhj 12y ago

> But this is still a risk, as the link to the app that does the syncing could be blocked to maintain a vulnerability If you can mitm the dns or ip you can still do this even with https. > downgraded to a vulnerable version does the app allow "upgrading" to a lower version number automatically? > or potentially compromised the app enforces signed updates, no? That said, they really should get https going for the updates.

phkn1 12y ago
>If you can mitm the dns or ip you can still do this even with https. Strictly speaking you'd need a compromised DNS and a compromised CA (possibly with a wildcard certificate). Certificates provide assurance of identity as well as encryption (that's why public key encryption works). No matter where the connection comes from. (EDIT: If I compromise DNS for an SSL secured site I only get half an attack.) > does the app allow "upgrading" to a lower version number automatically? I'm not as familiar with the app update mechanisms in respect to enforcing monotonic version numbers. I don't have proof it enforces this, however. > the app enforces signed updates, no? The author says it best here: http://httpshaming.tumblr.com/post/95160721901/but-its-signed http://httpshaming.tumblr.com/post/95160721901/but-its-signe...
- hjlklhj 12y ago
  >>> But this is still a risk, as the link to the app that does the syncing could be blocked to maintain a vulnerability >>If you can mitm the dns or ip you can still do this even with https. >Strictly speaking you'd need a compromised DNS and a compromised CA (possibly with a wildcard certificate). Certificates provide assurance of identity as well as encryption (that's why public key encryption works). No matter where the connection comes from. (EDIT: If I compromise DNS for an SSL secured site I only get half an attack.) My comment here was for the "the link to the app that does the syncing could be blocked to maintain a vulnerability" argument. That you don't need a CA for. Just throw a NXDOMAIN from the dns. edit: please note that I very much agree that update checks should be over https. It's just that I think that it's not a panacea and should be accompanied by e.g. code signing, enforcing updating version, etc.
  - phkn1 12y ago
    Agreed. Defense in depth is key.

by hjlklhj 12y ago

phkn1 12y ago

>If you can mitm the dns or ip you can still do this even with https. Strictly speaking you'd need a compromised DNS and a compromised CA (possibly with a wildcard certificate). Certificates provide assurance of identity as well as encryption (that's why public key encryption works). No matter where the connection comes from. (EDIT: If I compromise DNS for an SSL secured site I only get half an attack.) > does the app allow "upgrading" to a lower version number automatically? I'm not as familiar with the app update mechanisms in respect to enforcing monotonic version numbers. I don't have proof it enforces this, however. > the app enforces signed updates, no? The author says it best here: http://httpshaming.tumblr.com/post/95160721901/but-its-signed http://httpshaming.tumblr.com/post/95160721901/but-its-signe...

hjlklhj 12y ago
>>> But this is still a risk, as the link to the app that does the syncing could be blocked to maintain a vulnerability >>If you can mitm the dns or ip you can still do this even with https. >Strictly speaking you'd need a compromised DNS and a compromised CA (possibly with a wildcard certificate). Certificates provide assurance of identity as well as encryption (that's why public key encryption works). No matter where the connection comes from. (EDIT: If I compromise DNS for an SSL secured site I only get half an attack.) My comment here was for the "the link to the app that does the syncing could be blocked to maintain a vulnerability" argument. That you don't need a CA for. Just throw a NXDOMAIN from the dns. edit: please note that I very much agree that update checks should be over https. It's just that I think that it's not a panacea and should be accompanied by e.g. code signing, enforcing updating version, etc.
- phkn1 12y ago
  Agreed. Defense in depth is key.