Dell Software Installs Dangerous Root Certificate

Users of Dell computers have been warned again for a dangerous certificate that is installed by a program of the computer manufacturer on laptops, desktops and tablets and that cyber criminals can use it to launch attacks on the system.

Therefore it warns CERT Coordination Center (CERT / CC) at Carnegie Mellon University. Initially, it was warned for Dell Foundation Services a root certificate called eDellRoot installs with private key. Now it appears Dell System Detects install such a root certificate with corresponding private key. This certificate is DSDTestProvider.

Dell System Detect (DSD) is a program that users should start and communicates with the Dell Support Page. On some systems, DSD is installed by default. The program installs a root certificate private key. An attacker can use it is to generate certificates that are signed by the certificate authority DSDTestProvider.

Systems that rely DSDTestProvider the certificate authority will also certificates from the trust authority. An attacker can thus mimic websites and other services, software and e-mail sign and decrypt network traffic and other data. It is, among other things, man-in-the-middle attacks on HTTPS traffic and installing malware. The CERT / CC recommends to withdraw the root certificate, which can be done via the Windows Certificate Manager.

More Dangerous Certificates On Dell Computers Discovered

On Dell computers appear to present certificates are more dangerous than just eDellRoot root certificate which since yesterday is to warn and allowing users to be attacked. Reported that the security firm Duo Security on the basis of its own research.

Dell turns since August computers to install the same root certificate called eDellRoot, including associated private key.Something that, according to researchers at Duo Security is a pretty big mistake. " Using the certificate can be man-in-the-middle attacks against users are executed and it is for example possible to install malware or encrypted connections to eavesdrop. In addition, there appears to be a second eDellRoot certificate. The second license was found on 24 IP addresses. Which models are exactly is unknown.

"It suggests that Dell is deliberately identical keys in other models. This is a blatant disregard for basic cryptographic security," said the researchers. One of the systems used was accessible via the internet and certificate to offer Web services over HTTPS was a SCADA system. Such systems are used, among other vital infrastructure.

Finally an Atheros Authenticode certificate was also detected for the signing software. The password of the certificate was cracked within six hours. However, the certificate was found to have expired already, which restricts the possibility for abuse. However, it seems that the certificate was in use at the time that it was still valid.

Manufacturers Do Not Learn

According to the researchers, the discovery reveals a disturbing trend among manufacturers. Adding Trusted Certificates to a system, and especially root certificates can expose users to unnecessary risks. "Unfortunately it appears that manufacturers do not learn from past mistakes and keep them to keep repeating," the conclusion of the research (pdf). Dell has now indicated that it eDellRoot certificate via an update will be removed.

Researcher: Root Certificates Added Quietly Windows

Microsoft has quietly 18 new root certificates to Windows without notice has been here somewhere. So says a researcher with the alias " Hexatomium ". Root Certificates determine which SSL certificates are trusted by the operating system.

It is therefore important to know which organizations and certificate authority's root certificate is added. The researcher reports that he is the new root certificates through the RCC-auditing tool has discovered. Through the program, users can control which root certificates are heard in the Windows root CA to store and which have been added quietly.

In addition to the SHA1 hash of the license and the name of the associated certificate authority is no additional information is available. On Hacker News lets a user know that the certificate authority named RXC C2 is actually Cisco. Remarkably Cisco sets its own documentation Cisco RXC certificate policy ( pdf ) which certificate authorities should always use meaningful names. Feather in the list of additional root certificates include certificates of Swedish, Tunisian and Indian authorities.

Lenovo Provides Free Recovery Media Without Superfish

Owners of a Lenovo laptop can now apply for recovery media to install Windows and additional software without even the Super Fish-adware is installed together, so has let the computer manufacturer on the private forum know. Super Fish is a program that intercepted SSL connections to inject ads. The adware used for this purpose its own root certificate. Researchers managed to crack the password using the private key of the Superfish certificate.

This makes it possible in certain cases to Man-in-the-middle attacks against systems that perform Superfish and the certificate installed. In total Superfish appeared on more than 40 different types of laptops to be installed. Because of the Superfish debacle Lenovo announced several measures. For example, published a removal tool and put the manufacturer's promise that it will provide cleaner machines with less pre-installed software in the future. Also followed a free subscription of six months on the McAfee virus scanner.

Current owners of a laptop sit with the problem on their recovery media, such as a special recovery partition, Superfish is still present. If the computer is reinstalled using the recovery media is also Superfish replaced. Last month, Lenovo's own forum know that they worked to restore clean media without Superfish which can be requested via the support department. An employee of Lenovo claims that the recovery media will not be sent in bulk. "But if you need due to specific circumstances recovery media, please contact the service desk." Whether the media via CD or USB stick will be offered the employee does not know. We have asked for clarification about Lenovo.

Lenovo Provides Customers With Superfish-Adware 6 Months McAfee

Customers of computer manufacturer Lenovo laptop with the Superfish-adware can receive from next week try a virus McAfee for a period of six months without charge, as the company has let know .Because of the Superfish debacle Lenovo announced several measures. Was published as a removal tool and put the manufacturer's promise that it will provide cleaner machines with less pre-installed software in the future.

In addition, the customers a free subscription offer of a half years at McAfee Live Safe. The security software can be used on multiple devices and to protect systems against malware and other online threats. Duped consumers can already download the trial version of the software, to activate it, then next week on 16 March. In case users the security itself already bought their existing subscription will be extended by six months.

In total, more than 40 different types of laptops that Superfish standard was installed qualify for the program. Super Fish is a program that intercepted SSL connections to inject ads. The adware used for this purpose its own root certificate.Researchers managed to crack the password using the private key of the Superfish certificate. This makes it possible in some cases to Man-in-the-middle attacks against systems that perform Superfish and the certificate installed.