Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Linux Machine : hangup script

#vi killerloop.sh
--------------------------
#!/bin/sh

while true
do
echo halo
./killerloop.sh &
sleep 1
done
--------------------------
#./killerloop.sh

Scalr core settings

= Introduction =

Guide for installing the application. Please add any relevant information.


= Details =

Add your content here. Format your content with:
* Text in *bold* or _italic_
* Headings, paragraphs, and lists
* Automatic links to other wiki pages

1. Install the PHP app on your host

2. change the permissions on the following:
chmod -R 0777 app/cache/smarty
chmod -R 0777 app/cache/smarty_bin
chmod -R 0777 app/logs
chmod -R 0777 app/etc/client_keys
chmod -R 0777 app/cron/cron.pid

3. Add your AWS cert and private key in etc/

4. Install and configure BIND. The following examples use ns1.scalr.net and ns2.scalr.net

5. Login to the app as admin and setup the nameservers (settings > nameservers)

6. Change core settings (example):


Dynamic A record TTL: 90 seconds
Default SOA owner: admin.scalr.net
Default SOA parent: ns1.scalr.net
Named.conf Zone template:
zone "{zone}" {
type master;
file "{db_filename}";
};


Account ID: 1234567890
Key name: UIBXXXXXXTMN3
Security groups prefix: scalr.
S3cfg template:

[default]
access_key = [access_key]
acl_public = False
force = False
host = s3.amazonaws.com
human_readable_sizes = False
recv_chunk = 4096
secret_key = [secret_key]
send_chunk = 4096
verbosity = WARNING

Instances limit: 20

Path to snmpinform: /usr/bin/snmptrap
Event handler URL: 67.19.29.18 (ip of the app)
Terminate instance if it will not send 'rebootFinish' event after reboot in seconds. 160
Terminate instance if it will not send 'hostUp' or 'hostInit' event after launch in seconds. 160




Privacy Policy - About - Control Panel


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Nameservers


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Core settings



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Linux Password Cracking: Explain unshadow and john commands ( john the ripper tool )

Q. Can you tell me more about unshadow and john command line tools? How does it protect my server from crackers?


A. Both unshadow and john distributed with - John the Ripper security software or fast password cracker software. It is free and Open Source software. It runs on Windows, UNIX and Linux operating system. Use this tool to find out weak users passwords on your own server.


John cracking modes

John can work in the following modes:
[a] Wordlist : John will simply use a file with a list of words that will be checked against the passwords. See RULES for the format of wordlist files.

[b] Single crack : In this mode, john will try to crack the password using the login/GECOS information as passwords.

[c] Incremental : This is the most powerful mode. John will try any character combination to resolve the password. Details about these modes can be found in the MODES file in john’s documentation, including how to define your own cracking methods.

Install John the Ripper Password Cracking Tool

John the ripper is not installed by default. If you are using Debian / Ubuntu Linux, enter:
$ sudo apt-get install john
Note: RHEL, CentOS, Fedora, Redhat Linux user can grab john the ripper here. Once downloaded use rpm command:
# rpm -ivh john*

How do I use John the ripper to check weak passwords / crack passwords?

First use the unshadow command to combines the /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files so John can use them. You might need this since if you only used your shadow file, the GECOS information wouldn’t be used by the "single crack" mode, and also you wouldn’t be able to use the -shells option. On a normal system you’ll need to run unshadow as root to be able to read the shadow file. So login as root or use old good sudo / su command under Debian / Ubuntu Linux:
$ sudo /usr/sbin/unshadow /etc/passwd /etc/shadow > /tmp/crack.password.db
RHEL / CentOS / Fedora Linux user type the following command:
# /usr/bin/unshadow /etc/passwd /etc/shadow > /tmp/crack.password.db
To check weak password (crack password), enter the following command:

WARNING! These examples uses brute-force ~ CPU-time consuming password cracking techniques.

To use John, you just need to supply it a password file created using unshadow command along with desired options. If no mode is specified, john will try "single" first, then "wordlist" and finally "incremental" password cracking methods.
$ john /tmp/crack.password.db
Output:

 john  /tmp/crack.password.db
Loaded 1 password (FreeBSD MD5 [32/32])

This procedure will take its own time. To see the cracked passwords, enter:
$ john -show /tmp/crack.password.db

test:123456:1002:1002:test,,,:/home/test:/bin/bash
didi:abc123:1003:1003::/home/didi:/usr/bin/rssh

2 passwords cracked, 1 left

Above output clearly indicates - user test has 123456 and didi has abc123 password.

OpenSSH Server Best Security Practices

Introduction:
OpenSSH is the implementation of the SSH protocol. OpenSSH is recommended for remote login, making backups, remote file transfer via scp or sftp, and much more. SSH is perfect to keep confidentiality and integrity for data exchanged between two networks and systems. However, the main advantage is server authentication, through the use of public key cryptography. From time to time there are rumors about OpenSSH zero day exploit. Here are a few things you need to tweak in order to improve OpenSSH server security.

Default Config Files and SSH Port
  • /etc/ssh/sshd_config - OpenSSH server configuration file.
  • /etc/ssh/ssh_config - OpenSSH client configuration file.
  • ~/.ssh/ - Users ssh configuration directory.
  • ~/.ssh/authorized_keys or ~/.ssh/authorized_keys - Lists the public keys (RSA or DSA) that can be used to log into the user’s account
  • /etc/nologin - If this file exists, sshd refuses to let anyone except root log in.
  • /etc/hosts.allow and /etc/hosts.deny : Access controls lists that should be enforced by tcp-wrappers are defined here.
  • SSH default port : TCP 22

#1: Disable OpenSSH Server

Workstations and laptop can work without OpenSSH server. If you need not to provide the remote login and file transfer capabilities of SSH, disable and remove the SSHD server. CentOS / RHEL / Fedora Linux user can disable and remove openssh-server with yum command:


# chkconfig sshd off
# yum erase openssh-server

Debian / Ubuntu Linux user can disable and remove the same with apt-get command:

# apt-get remove openssh-server

You may need to update your iptables script to remove ssh exception rule. Under CentOS / RHEL / Fedora edit the files /etc/sysconfig/iptables and /etc/sysconfig/ip6tables. Once done restart iptables service:

# service iptables restart
# service ip6tables restart

#2: Only Use SSH Protocol 2

SSH protocol version 1 (SSH-1) has man-in-the-middle attacks problems and security vulnerabilities. SSH-1 is obsolete and should be avoided at all cost. Open sshd_config file and make sure the following line exists:

Protocol 2

#3: Limit Users' SSH Access

By default all systems user can login via SSH using their password or public key. Sometime you create UNIX / Linux user account for ftp or email purpose. However, those user can login to system using ssh. They will have full access to system tools including compilers and scripting languages such as Perl, Python which can open network ports and do many other fancy things. One of my client has really outdated php script and an attacker was able to create a new account on the system via a php script. However, attacker failed to get into box via ssh because it wasn't in AllowUsers.

Only allow root, vivek and jerry user to use the system via SSH, add the following to sshd_config:

AllowUsers root vivek jerry

Alternatively, you can allow all users to login via SSH but deny only a few users, with the following line:

DenyUsers saroj anjali foo

You can also configure Linux PAM allows or deny login via the sshd server. You can allow list of group name to access or deny access to the ssh.

#4: Configure Idle Log Out Timeout Interval

User can login to server via ssh and you can set an idel timeout interval to avoid unattended ssh session. Open sshd_config and make sure following values are configured:

ClientAliveInterval 300
ClientAliveCountMax 0

You are setting an idle timeout interval in seconds (300 secs = 5 minutes). After this interval has passed, the idle user will be automatically kicked out (read as logged out). See how to automatically log BASH / TCSH / SSH users out after a period of inactivity for more details.

#5: Disable .rhosts Files

Don't read the user's ~/.rhosts and ~/.shosts files. Update sshd_config with the following settings:

IgnoreRhosts yes

SSH can emulate the behavior of the obsolete rsh command, just disable insecure access via RSH.

#6: Disable Host-Based Authentication

To disable host-based authentication, update sshd_config with the following option:

HostbasedAuthentication no

#7: Disable root Login via SSH

There is no need to login as root via ssh over a network. Normal users can use su or sudo (recommended) to gain root level access. This also make sure you get full auditing information about who ran privileged commands on the system via sudo. To disable root login via SSH, update sshd_config with the following line:

PermitRootLogin no

However, bob made excellent point:

Saying "don't login as root" is horseshit. It stems from the days when people sniffed the first packets of sessions so logging in as yourself and su-ing decreased the chance an attacker would see the root pw, and decreast the chance you got spoofed as to your telnet host target, You'd get your password spoofed but not root's pw. Gimme a break. this is 2005 - We have ssh, used properly it's secure. used improperly none of this 1989 will make a damn bit of difference. -Bob

#8: Enable a Warning Banner

Set a warning banner by updating sshd_config with the following line:

Banner /etc/issue

Sample /etc/issue file:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are accessing a XYZ Government (XYZG) Information System (IS) that is provided for authorized use only.
By using this IS (which includes any device attached to this IS), you consent to the following conditions:

+ The XYZG routinely intercepts and monitors communications on this IS for purposes including, but not limited to,
penetration testing, COMSEC monitoring, network operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM),
law enforcement (LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations.

+ At any time, the XYZG may inspect and seize data stored on this IS.

+ Communications using, or data stored on, this IS are not private, are subject to routine monitoring,
interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used for any XYZG authorized purpose.

+ This IS includes security measures (e.g., authentication and access controls) to protect XYZG interests--not
for your personal benefit or privacy.

+ Notwithstanding the above, using this IS does not constitute consent to PM, LE or CI investigative searching
or monitoring of the content of privileged communications, or work product, related to personal representation
or services by attorneys, psychotherapists, or clergy, and their assistants. Such communications and work
product are private and confidential. See User Agreement for details.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Above is standard sample, consult your legal team for exact user agreement and legal notice details.

#8: Firewall SSH Port # 22

You need to firewall ssh port # 22 by updating iptables or pf firewall configurations. Usually, OpenSSH server must only accept connections from your LAN or other remote WAN sites only.

Netfilter (Iptables) Configuration

Update /etc/sysconfig/iptables (Redhat and friends specific file) to accept connection only from 192.168.1.0/24 and 202.54.1.5/29, enter:

-A RH-Firewall-1-INPUT -s 192.168.1.0/24 -m state --state NEW -p tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT
-A RH-Firewall-1-INPUT -s 202.54.1.5/29 -m state --state NEW -p tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT

If you've dual stacked sshd with IPv6, edit /etc/sysconfig/ip6tables (Redhat and friends specific file), enter:

 -A RH-Firewall-1-INPUT -s ipv6network::/ipv6mask -m tcp -p tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT

Replace ipv6network::/ipv6mask with actual IPv6 ranges.

*BSD PF Firewall Configuration

If you are using PF firewall update /etc/pf.conf as follows:

pass in on $ext_if inet proto tcp from {192.168.1.0/24, 202.54.1.5/29} to $ssh_server_ip port ssh flags S/SA synproxy state

#9: Change SSH Port and Limit IP Binding

By default SSH listen to all available interfaces and IP address on the system. Limit ssh port binding and change ssh port (by default brute forcing scripts only try to connects to port # 22). To bind to 192.168.1.5 and 202.54.1.5 IPs and to port 300, add or correct the following line:

Port 300
ListenAddress 192.168.1.5
ListenAddress 202.54.1.5

A better approach to use proactive approaches scripts such as fail2ban or denyhosts (see below).

#10: Use Strong SSH Passwords and Passphrase

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to use strong user passwords and passphrase for your keys. Brute force attack works because you use dictionary based passwords. You can force users to avoid passwords against a dictionary attack and use john the ripper tool to find out existing weak passwords. Here is a sample random password generator (put in your ~/.bashrc):

genpasswd() {
local l=$1
[ "$l" == "" ] && l=20
tr -dc A-Za-z0-9_ < /dev/urandom | head -c ${l} | xargs
}

Run it:
genpasswd 16
Output:

uw8CnDVMwC6vOKgW

#11: Use Public Key Based Authentication

Use public/private key pair with password protection for the private key. See how to use RSA and DSA key based authentication. Never ever use passphrase free key (passphrase key less) login.

#12: Use Keychain Based Authentication

keychain is a special bash script designed to make key-based authentication incredibly convenient and flexible. It offers various security benefits over passphrase-free keys. See how to setup and use keychain software.

#13: Chroot SSHD (Lock Down Users To Their Home Directories)

By default users are allowed to browse the server directories such as /etc/, /bin and so on. You can protect ssh, using os based chroot or use special tools such as rssh. With the release of OpenSSH 4.8p1 or 4.9p1, you no longer have to rely on third-party hacks such as rssh or complicated chroot(1) setups to lock users to their home directories. See this blog post about new ChrootDirectory directive to lock down users to their home directories.

#14: Use TCP Wrappers

TCP Wrapper is a host-based Networking ACL system, used to filter network access to Internet. OpenSSH does supports TCP wrappers. Just update your /etc/hosts.allow file as follows to allow SSH only from 192.168.1.2 172.16.23.12 :

sshd : 192.168.1.2 172.16.23.12 

See this FAQ about setting and using TCP wrappers under Linux / Mac OS X and UNIX like operating systems.

#15: Disable Empty Passwords

You need to explicitly disallow remote login from accounts with empty passwords, update sshd_config with the following line:

PermitEmptyPasswords no

#16: Thwart SSH Crackers (Brute Force Attack)

Brute force is a method of defeating a cryptographic scheme by trying a large number of possibilities using a single or distributed computer network. To prevents brute force attacks against SSH, use the following softwares:

  • DenyHosts is a Python based security tool for SSH servers. It is intended to prevent brute force attacks on SSH servers by monitoring invalid login attempts in the authentication log and blocking the originating IP addresses.
  • Fail2ban is a similar program that prevents brute force attacks against SSH.
  • security/sshguard-pf protect hosts from brute force attacks against ssh and other services using pf.
  • security/sshguard-ipfw protect hosts from brute force attacks against ssh and other services using ipfw.
  • security/sshguard-ipfilter protect hosts from brute force attacks against ssh and other services using ipfilter.
  • security/sshblock block abusive SSH login attempts.
  • security/sshit checks for SSH/FTP bruteforce and blocks given IPs.
  • BlockHosts Automatic blocking of abusive IP hosts.
  • Blacklist Get rid of those bruteforce attempts.
  • Brute Force Detection A modular shell script for parsing application logs and checking for authentication failures. It does this using a rules system where application specific options are stored including regular expressions for each unique auth format.
  • IPQ BDB filter May be considered as a fail2ban lite.

#17: Rate-limit Incoming Port # 22 Connections

Both netfilter and pf provides rate-limit option to perform simple throttling on incoming connections on port # 22.

Iptables Example

The following example will drop incoming connections which make more than 5 connection attempts upon port 22 within 60 seconds:

#!/bin/bash
inet_if=eth1
ssh_port=22
$IPT -I INPUT -p tcp --dport ${ssh_port} -i ${inet_if} -m state --state NEW -m recent --set
$IPT -I INPUT -p tcp --dport ${ssh_port} -i ${inet_if} -m state --state NEW -m recent --update --seconds 60 --hitcount 5 -j DROP

Call above script from your iptables scripts. Another config option:

$IPT -A INPUT  -i ${inet_if} -p tcp --dport ${ssh_port} -m state --state NEW -m limit --limit 3/min --limit-burst 3 -j ACCEPT
$IPT -A INPUT -i ${inet_if} -p tcp --dport ${ssh_port} -m state --state ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
$IPT -A OUTPUT -o ${inet_if} -p tcp --sport ${ssh_port} -m state --state ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
# another one line example
# $IPT -A INPUT -i ${inet_if} -m state --state NEW,ESTABLISHED,RELATED -p tcp --dport 22 -m limit --limit 5/minute --limit-burst 5-j ACCEPT

See iptables man page for more details.

*BSD PF Example

The following will limits the maximum number of connections per source to 20 and rate limit the number of connections to 15 in a 5 second span. If anyone breaks our rules add them to our abusive_ips table and block them for making any further connections. Finally, flush keyword kills all states created by the matching rule which originate from the host which exceeds these limits.

sshd_server_ip="202.54.1.5"
table persist
block in quick from
pass in on $ext_if proto tcp to $sshd_server_ip port ssh flags S/SA keep state (max-src-conn 20, max-src-conn-rate 15/5, overload flush)

#18: Use Port Knocking

Port knocking is a method of externally opening ports on a firewall by generating a connection attempt on a set of prespecified closed ports. Once a correct sequence of connection attempts is received, the firewall rules are dynamically modified to allow the host which sent the connection attempts to connect over specific port(s). A sample port Knocking example for ssh using iptables:

$IPT -N stage1
$IPT -A stage1 -m recent --remove --name knock
$IPT -A stage1 -p tcp --dport 3456 -m recent --set --name knock2

$IPT -N stage2
$IPT -A stage2 -m recent --remove --name knock2
$IPT -A stage2 -p tcp --dport 2345 -m recent --set --name heaven

$IPT -N door
$IPT -A door -m recent --rcheck --seconds 5 --name knock2 -j stage2
$IPT -A door -m recent --rcheck --seconds 5 --name knock -j stage1
$IPT -A door -p tcp --dport 1234 -m recent --set --name knock

$IPT -A INPUT -m --state ESTABLISHED,RELATED -j ACCEPT
$IPT -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -m recent --rcheck --seconds 5 --name heaven -j ACCEPT
$IPT -A INPUT -p tcp --syn -j doo
  • fwknop is an implementation that combines port knocking and passive OS fingerprinting.
  • Multiple-port knocking Netfilter/IPtables only implementation.

#19: Use Log Analyzer

Read your logs using logwatch or logcheck. These tools make your log reading life easier. It will go through your logs for a given period of time and make a report in the areas that you wish with the detail that you wish. Make sure LogLevel is set to INFO or DEBUG in sshd_config:

LogLevel INFO

#20: Patch OpenSSH and Operating Systems

It is recommended that you use tools such as yum, apt-get, freebsd-update and others to keep systems up to date with the latest security patches.

Other Options

To hide openssh version, you need to update source code and compile openssh again. Make sure following options are enabled in sshd_config:

#  Turn on privilege separation
UsePrivilegeSeparation yes
# Prevent the use of insecure home directory and key file permissions
StrictModes yes
# Turn on reverse name checking
VerifyReverseMapping yes
# Do you need port forwarding?
AllowTcpForwarding no
X11Forwarding no
# Specifies whether password authentication is allowed. The default is yes.
PasswordAuthentication no

Verify your sshd_config file before restarting / reloading changes:

# /usr/sbin/sshd -t

Tighter SSH security with two-factor or three-factor (or more) authentication.

Random Password Creation tool: Using Function (Bash)

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to use strong user passwords and passphrase for your keys. Brute force attack works because you use dictionary based passwords. You can force users to avoid passwords against a dictionary attack and use john the ripper tool to find out existing weak passwords.

Here is a sample random password generator (put in your ~/.bashrc):

--------------------
genpasswd() {
local l=$1
[ "$l" == "" ] && l=20
tr -dc A-Za-z0-9_ < /dev/urandom | head -c ${l} | xargs
}
--------------------

Run it:

#genpasswd 16

--------------------
uw8CnDVMwC6vOKgW
--------------------


Scalr Links

Group discussion
http://groups.google.com/group/scalr-discuss?lnk=

Scalr Project site: (wiki)
http://code.google.com/p/scalr/

Monday, July 27, 2009

instance in scalr farm rebooting continuously

Answer:
Most likely, SNMP monitoring does not work or event handler configured
improperly.

Steps:
# apt-get install snmpd snmp
# vim /etc/default/snmpd
----------------------
#SNMPDOPTS='-Lsd -Lf /dev/null -u snmp -I -smux -p /var/run/snmpd.pid 127.0.0.1'
## remove the localhost parameter from the end of the line
SNMPDOPTS='-Lsd -Lf /dev/null -u snmp -I -smux -p /var/run/snmpd.pid '

----------------------
# vim /etc/snmp/snmpd.conf
----------------------
com2sec readonly default cc54b971b0bd1a
group MyROGroup v1 readonly
group MyROGroup v2c readonly
group MyROGroup usm readonly
view all included .1 80
view system included .iso.org.dod.internet.mgmt.mib-2.system
# context sec.model sec.level match read write notif
access MyROSystem "" any noauth exact system none none
access MyROGroup "" any noauth exact all none none
access MyRWGroup "" any noauth exact all all none
#
syslocation Amazon EC2
syscontact Nativetung Inc.
----------------------
# vim /etc/snmp/snmptrapd.conf
----------------------
authCommunity log,execute,net cc54b971b0bd1a
----------------------
# /etc/init.d/snmpd restart

Still have the same issue... ?
Have you configure the event handler
?

Login to scalr --> Settings --> Core settings --> add the event handler url and IP address as same as the scalr machine

Now pull up ur sleeves and lets explore more now..

Sunday, July 26, 2009

I am getting the following error while I try to create a new application or a new farm.

"Unexpected exception in javascript:Badly formed JSON string: '
\nFatal error: Class \'HttpRequest\' not found in /var/scalr/app/src/
LibWebta/library/NET/API/AWS/class.AmazonS3.php on line 454
\n'"

Solution:
pecl_http php extension is missing on your system.

So start here to resolve the issue...
# apt-get install libcurl4-openssl-dev
Make sure that curl is installed then procees again
# pecl install pecl_http

add extension=http.so in /etc/php5/apache2/php.ini & /etc/php5/cli/php.ini & "copy the http.so file to the php5 lib folder "

Changing the Logging format and Log file of bind:

Update the following in to the file "named.conf.local"

#vim /etc/bind/named.conf.local

------------------------------------------
logging {
channel "debug" {
file "/var/log/bind/query.log";
print-time yes;
print-category yes;
};
category "default" { "debug"; };
category "general" { "debug"; };
category "database" { "debug"; };
category "security" { "debug"; };
category "config" { "debug"; };
category "resolver" { "debug"; };
category "xfer-in" { "debug"; };
category "xfer-out" { "debug"; };
category "notify" { "debug"; };
category "client" { "debug"; };
category "unmatched" { "debug"; };
category "network" { "debug"; };
category "update" { "debug"; };
category "update-security" { "debug"; };
category "queries" { "debug"; };
category "dispatch" { "debug"; };
category "dnssec" { "debug"; };
category "lame-servers" { "debug"; };
category "delegation-only" { "debug"; };
};
------------------------------------------

# mkdir /var/log/bind/
# cd /var/log/bind/
# touch query.log
# chown bind /var/log/bind/query.log
# service bind9 restart