Re: Linux login security approaches
Neil Conway (nconway.list@ukaea.org.uk)
Tue, 8 Dec 1998 14:34:17 +0000
Henrik Olsen wrote:
>
> <long letter about protecting against a trojaned login snipped>
>
> You have a fundamental flaw in your assumptions, since you don't take into
> account the fact that unless the security of the system is very badly
> messed up already, if a user is able to substitute his own program for
> the normal login/getty, he can also exchange his programs for whatevery
> else you add to give better "security".
>
> <asbestos>
> The reason why people said your suggestion was the "NT way", is that it
> makes life harder to everyone trying to use the system, without adding to
> the actual security of the system.
> </asbestos>
Jeez, wrong on both counts. No-one needs to replace /bin/login, simply
print a message to the screen saying "Linux blah \n login:" and then
wait for someone to take the bait.
Secondly, NT's C-A-D requirement DOES prevent this, and thus DOES add
security, AND to make things better, I don't see how it makes life any
harder for users - it's just some keys you press to get a login screen.
Neil
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