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Half a Million Database Servers 'Have no Firewall'
An anonymous reader writes "There are nearly half a million database servers exposed on the Internet, without firewall protection according to UK-based security researcher David Litchfield."
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Well this is quite simple and not really all that mysterious.
If you secure your server correctly in the first place.
Close up, secure and encrypt ports that consume passwords and serve data.
You don't have a problem! Within reason of course.
I that gets breached, a firewall won't protect you from an attack either.
Du...
I wonder how many people know that firewalls don't actually do anything.
Accept keep useless network fanboys employed.
1. Because everyone knows that a firewall is the end all and be all of security.
2. How do they know they don't have a firewall and not just an open port?
3. Open port != DB server Litchfield took a look at just over 1 million randomly generated Internet Protocol [IP] addresses, checking them to see if he could access them on the IP ports reserved for Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle's database. 4. Not all DBs are huge corporate DBs. Hell some versions of MS Office install SQL on your computer.
5. Maybe some of them actually need/want to have remote people access them (and they don't know about VPNs(lolz))
6. Yeah some people should get their shit together
Did Mr. Litchfield crash his BMW and wants a new one? This just smacks of "ZOMG!!! Ur ports are open, give me ur monies and I will fix u!" His company is even linked in the fourth paragraph. Next please.
You all got it wrong. If you expose your data directly over the internet, you don't NEED an app server. Elementary.
Of Code And Men
Just because the listener is accessible on port 1521 from the outside, doesn't mean the database itself is directly available.Depending on what identification method is set up, you may have to identify yourself to the listener first using one of many ID schemes before the listener will connect you to the database itself which may be well protected behind a firewall..
I wish he had known what he was writing about before he actually wrote the damn article.
If you mod me down, I *will* introduce you to my sister!
That's not true.
For example, you may have a stand-alone java app at multiple locations that can query the database directly, so you'd definitely open up the port.
This is just another example of "OMFG LOOK AT ME!!! I FOUND TEH SECURITY HOLE!" bullshit. Same as "your computer is broadcasting its IP address."
Not everything has to go through a bloody web server.
Their "idea" of a vulnerability was if the port was open - not if they could gain access.
Kevin Smith on Prince
I don't want to sound like a shill, but isnt this the rationale behind SOAP and such? Why leave a DB port open on the Internet. I agree that TFA may be blowing things out of proportion, but still, seems like an unnecessary risk.. at a minumum ip-filter the port.. do something other than let Joe Script-Kiddie find the port and (depending on the db software) crack your system.
If you can't correct it, you needn't detect it.
Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
I'm not an IT worker, but I think the idea that because some people don't know what "xyz" is, ignores a basic pretense in this circumstance. I'm not going to pretend this example explains all or some of the 1/2 non-FW DB servers.
I've worked and volunteered for several non-profit, NGOs and small businesses. And worked in B2B sales selling computer equipment to them. Generally the IT staff is an outside consultant who does a few things (whatever they're able to afford). Setting up of complex computer equipment and software is often left to someone who's able to understand the instruction manual but no IT training (so it could be the receptionist, the director or somewhere in-between). Setting up a firewall is expensive and doesn't fit into many budgets of small organizations. Someone with no IT training may also think a DB server or networked printer needs no firewall.
Let me put it this way: as a non-IT worker, I haven't put 100% of my resources behind studying I.T. (software, hardware) etc. I've programmed computers and used computers since I was born. Despite being somewhat knowledgeable in TCP/IP and reading firewall and comp. security books (mostly for self-interest), I'm not confident I can even configure an adequate firewall for my home computer. Things like FreeBSD's IPFW are supposed to be "easy" to setup. Not my experience. Its sheer confusion. MS, Apple and some OSS firewalls are supposed to make it even easier. Block this port, block that port and that's it??? don't think so. I'm not even 50% confident this solution provides adequate protection esp for a NGO, non-profit, SMB or home computer. So how is someone not as well-read supposed to setup a firewall on a limited budget? But a pre-built hardware solution? Still that needs to be setup and configured too. And even then, you still have to be knowledgeable enough to *test* whatever solution you're using to actually make sure it works and keeps your system well protected.
Not a trivial or inexpensive task. But people with no training or knowledge are often asked to do this.
I have mentioned this several times on slashdot but there is a severe lack of actual professionals in control of networks out there. I would say that there are all too many who have never even thought about security at this level, they just make sure that they have control of their users and pat themselves on their back for being able to make two servers talk across a WAN.
This all derives from the misconception that you have to be 40+ to be a seasoned professional in the business world. The IT security field is a very new one relatively, some of the best security personnel are much younger than I am but never get considered because even with 5 years experience, a degree and several certifications, they are only 24 and therefore not worthy of note. (no I am not ranting about myself, I ahve a wonderful position for someone my age, but I know many IT geeks who get passed over because of their age, although no one would ever admit it.) Get the 40 year old guy who was a sociology major and did data entry for 10 years before being asked to take over NT environments. This way you get a 'seasoned' guy because he has a few more wrinkles and that makes him a better 'fit' and definitely must make him more capable.
CS: It is all sink or swim...oh and did I mention there are sharks in that water?
Personally, I would rather have my webserver, which is designed to be publicly available, and quite easy to secure, available - vs. WormBait such as MSSQL. I can't think of one good reason to have your DB Server port open to the inet. Need to link it to a remote server? VPN... The argument about the only secure system being completly disconnected is true, but doesnt apply here. The point is there is something that the person managing the server want to make available, so there is inherent risk... the point is to take the "best" method to do that. The article is so much FUD, but doesnt excuse having the db port open to the inet.
Let's read the article and see what that headline really means.
He found open ports on just over 200 servers, which correspond to the ports used by two popular database servers. That's all. The article doesn't say that he actually connected to them, confirmed that there were real databases running there, or even identified the owners. He found two hundred open ports out of a million randomly chosen addresses on the Internet. But "0.02% of Internet Connected Computers May Or May Not Be Running Database Software" just isn't the kind of headline that grabs attention.
Unless there is a lot more detail, preferably from someone who isn't in the business of selling firewalls for databases, then you'll have to forgive me for not being terribly concerned about this revelation.