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Securing Instant Messaging

Securing Instant Messaging. Matt Hsu. Outline. Introduction Instant Messaging Primer Instant Messaging Vulnerabilities and Exploits Securing Instant Messaging in Your Corporation Conclusion. Introduction. Instant Messaging Primer. Instant Messaging is not a new technology

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Securing Instant Messaging

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  1. Securing Instant Messaging Matt Hsu

  2. Outline • Introduction • Instant Messaging Primer • Instant Messaging Vulnerabilities and Exploits • Securing Instant Messaging in Your Corporation • Conclusion

  3. Introduction

  4. Instant Messaging Primer • Instant Messaging is not a new technology • The first system, IRC, was developed in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen • Providing Services: p2p real-time chatting and file transfer capabilities • Current IM systems: ICQ, AOL IM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat

  5. Communication Mode Client-Server instant messaging P2P instant messaging

  6. Encryption, File Transfers, Scripting, Others • Most IM systems do not encrypt p2p traffic • Those systems do not encrypt files transferred either • A handful of IM platforms offer scripting capabilities • Additional functionality: mini-Web provided by ICQ

  7. Instant Messaging Vulnerabilities and Exploits (1) • Eavesdropping • Using a packet sniffer • Account Hijacking • A number of Web sites provide DIY for launching such a attack • Password protection is very limited • Data Access and Modification • Buffer overflow • In May 2002, w00w00 identified a vulnerability: an attacker to gain full access to targeted systems

  8. Instant Messaging Vulnerabilities and Exploits (2) • Worms and Blended Threats • IM software maintains a list of buddies • By two ways: 1)leveraging IM scripting 2) exploiting a buffer overflow • Scripting Instant Messaging Threats • Instant Messaging Threats that Exploit Vulnerabilities • Denial-of-Service • Instant messaging server vulnerabilities

  9. Securing Instant Messaging in Your Corporation • IM vs. Firewalls • Out-of-the-box firewall configurations are not sufficient enough to block access • Tunneling tech: It make a client to slip past the corporate firewall • IM File Transfers vs. Firewalls • The best way to block file transfers is to block the port numbers used by IM products

  10. Instant Messaging Best Practices • Establish a corporate instant messaging usage policy • Properly configure corporate perimeter firewalls • Deploy desktop antivirus software • Employ personal firewalls to ensure policy compliance • Deploy corporate instant messaging servers • Recommended instant messaging client settings • Install all IM patches a.s.a.p • Use vulnerability management solutions to ensure policy compliance

  11. Conclusion • Current IM systems are inadequately secured • Need a layer suitable security systems • Consider the growing number of wireless phones already supporting IM services • Great Sentence: “Only by appropriately securing these systems will businesses be able to reap their full economic benefits”

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