[Dataloss] fringe: Researchers: Disk Encryption Not Secure

[Rory Wasserman]

Roy,

I agree with what you are saying, however if a portable hardware device is
used for multifactor authentication and the key is stored in a secure place
on the device, off of the hard drive, then this type of attack would be
futile.

Rory Wasserman

-----Original Message-----
From: dataloss-bounces at attrition.org [mailto:dataloss-bounces at attrition.org]
On Behalf Of Roy M. Silvernail
Sent: February 21, 2008 4:17 PM

To: B.K. DeLong
Cc: security curmudgeon; dataloss at attrition.org
Subject: Re: [Dataloss] fringe: Researchers: Disk Encryption Not Secure

On Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 04:03:41PM -0500, B.K. DeLong wrote:
> Well, if anything I think it makes a further case for using
> multifactor authentication in order to login to machines - a
> "something you have" piece.

That's the wrong threat model, though.  The attack described is directly 
against disk encryption.  If the FDE key is exposed through a cold-RAM 
skimming attack, there is no need to login to anything.  The RAM is 
skimmed, then the drive is imaged.  Presto.  Your data is toast.

This can be pulled off over a lunch break, and the only evidence would 
be an unexpected reboot when the victim returns.
-- 
Roy M. Silvernail is roy at rant-central.com, and you're not
   "A desperate disease requires a dangerous remedy."
                   - Guy Fawkes
            http://www.rant-central.com

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