Steffen Wendzel | 29 Sep 00:32
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New Covert Channel Discussion Group

Hi list,

since I already quit my webspace and since there is some activity on 
this list, I set up a discussion group at google groups:

Announcement:
http://groups.google.de/group/covert-channel-research/browse_thread/thread/f14a72b765719961

I also updated the posting:
http://www.wendzel.de/?sub=showpost&blogid=1&postid=183

The group itself can be found here:
http://groups.google.de/group/covert-channel-research

The mail address of the new group is:
covert-channel-research@...

The subject prefix '[covertchan]' is the same.

Feel free to subscribe/read/post to it.

With best regards

Steffen

James Lawrie | 28 Sep 23:16
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Port Knocker

Hi,

I forgot I was on this list! I wrote a PortKnocking implementation in
Perl a couple of weeks back. It's basic but it works - thought you
guys might be interested in a simple script that does it:
http://jdlawrie.co.uk/scripts/PortKnocker.txt

Let me know if you have any feedback, suggestions, or want to
contribute to it (I'll move it to github if anyone does).

--
James Lawrie

owner | 28 Sep 22:12

(unknown)

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Message-ID: <4CA2471A.5090102@...>
(Continue reading)

Steffen Wendzel | 28 Sep 21:39
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Covert Channel Mailinglist Shutdown

[2nd try, this time with a correct subject, sorry for the duplicate]

Hi @ll,

I currently receive lots of annoying spam for approval to this
mailinglist, and since there was no real traffic for a long time on this
mailing list, I will close it. I also quit with my ISP so I will lose
the mailing list nevertheless.

Thank you for participating.

With best regards

Steffen Wendzel

Steffen Wendzel | 28 Sep 21:37
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covertchan@...: Approval required:

Hi @ll,

I currently receive lots of annoying spam for approval to this
mailinglist, and since there was no real traffic for a long time on this
mailing list, I will close it. I also quit with my ISP so I will lose
the mailing list nevertheless.

Thank you for participating.

With best regards

Steffen Wendzel

Steffen Wendzel | 19 Mar 14:32
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covertchan@...: Approval required:

Begin forwarded message:

Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:29:34 +0100 (CET)
From: owner-covertchan@...
To: covertchan-approval@...
Subject: BOUNCE covertchan@...: Approval
required:     

>From owner-covertchan-1390@...  Fri
Mar 19 14:29:34 2010
Return-Path: <owner-covertchan-1390@...>
Delivered-To: covertchan-1390@...
Received-SPF: pass (gmx.net: 213.165.64.20 is authorized to use 'cdp_xe <at> gmx.net' in 'mfrom' identity
(mechanism 'ip4:213.165.64.0/23' matched)) receiver=basicbox1.server-home.net;
identity=mfrom; envelope-from="cdp_xe@..."; helo=mail.gmx.net; client-ip=213.165.64.20
Received: from mail.gmx.net (mail.gmx.net [213.165.64.20])
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+0100 (CET)
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X-Provags-ID: V01U2FsdGVkX18jeuJtSw4j2vQszKNu2TCpPnVnPGTDy3jYFMRxXO
	L8CaunjtXYym70
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:29:30 +0100
From: Steffen Wendzel <cdp_xe@...>
To: covertchan@...
Subject: Covert Channel Speech, Sa, March 27, 2010.
Message-Id: <20100319142930.0dc83d37.cdp_xe@...>
(Continue reading)

Steffen Wendzel | 19 Dec 19:24
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Article "Protocol Channels" from Hakin9 Magazine

Hi list members,

I just want to inform you that I uploaded the PDF file of my latest article
"Protocol Channels" from Hakin9 6/09. Protocol channels are a kind of covert
channels and very difficult to detect. You can find the paper here:
  => http://www.wendzel.de/?sub=showpost&blogid=3&postid=257

A full and detailed description of protocol channels is available in my
diploma thesis (but in german only). You can find all papers here:
  => http://www.wendzel.de/?sub=publ

Feedback is always welcome!

With best regards

Steffen Wendzel

--

-- 
Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Dipl.-Inf. (FH) Steffen Wendzel

Web: http://www.wendzel.de
     http://www.linux-openbook.de

Steffen Wendzel | 31 Aug 10:24
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Speech on Covert Channels

[since the last msg included garbage, here is a 2nd try ;)]

Hi covert channel list,

I just want to inform you that I will hold a speech about protocol
channels and protocol hopping covert channels on Sun, Sep. 06, 2009 in
Darmstadt, Germany at MRMCD0x8:

http://mrmcd0x8.metarheinmain.de/fahrplan/events/3344.de.html

with best regards

Steffen

--

-- 
Steffen Wendzel
www.wendzel.de

Steffen Wendzel | 26 Jul 20:42
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Uploaded my Diploma Thesis about Protocol (Hopping Covert) Channels and Header Structure Changing

Hi covertchan list,

I just uploaded my Diploma Thesis[1] that focuses on 3 covert channel
topics. It is poorly written in german but maybe there are some people
here who can read german. For all others I uploaded a new version of the
'Protocol Channel' paper what focuses on chapter 2.2 of my thesis[2].
A more detailed article written in english will follow in Hakin9 05/09 or
06/09 [3]. I will announce that on the list again. I will try to write
an english summary of header structure changing (HSC) within the next
days too. HSC is a new technique to prevent covert storage channels
within network packet headers by randomizing the header structure after
a packet normalization.

[1] Diploma Thesis topic is: 'Protokollwechsel zur Realisierung von
Covert Channels und Header-Strukturveränderungen zur Vermeidung von
Covert Channels'.

[2] Protocol Channels.
Abstract:
    Covert channel techniques are used by attackers to transfer hidden
data. There are two main categories of covert channels: timing channels
and storage channels. This paper introduces a new storage channel tech-
nique called protocol channels. A protocol channel switches one of at least
two protocols to send a bit combination to a destination. The main goal
of a protocol channel is that the packets sent look equal to all other usual
packets of the system what makes a protocol channel hard to detect.

[3] will be listed on hakin9.org/en within the next months.

You can find both pdf files here: http://www.wendzel.de/?sub=publ
(Continue reading)

Steffen Wendzel | 20 May 22:27
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Re: Conferences on CC

Hi Erik,

the next upcoming confernce including a CC topic is the 11th Information
Hiding conference in Darmstadt, Germany, June 7-10, 2009.

http://www.ih09.tu-darmstadt.de/

You are maybe also interested in the Hack.lu 2009 (http://2009.hack.lu/)

-Steffen

On Wed, 20 May 2009 15:43:59 -0400 "Erik Brown (RIT Student)" <etb0874 <at> rit.edu> wrote:

: List,
: 
: I was wondering if covert channels are discussed much at security or other
: type of conferences.  In doing my research it seems like a lot of the papers
: are from IEEE or ACM.  So if anyone knows of any upcoming conferences on
: covert channels, please email them to the list.  They don¹t have to be
: restricted to USA or Europe.
: 
: - Erik Brown
: 

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Delineating the field of covert channels

List,

Something that I find is a bit frustrating in studying covert channels is the subject of classifying the various types and delineating c.c. from classical steganography.  Since this list is relatively new, I am hoping to spark some conversation, hear your ideas and come up with a more clear criteria for what constitutes covert channels vs. stego.  

Some definitions (such as Lampson’s original one) are vague and thus, all-encompassing.  Notably, his concept of a “legitimate” channel, which today is widely accepted as form of steganography (e.g.  Some may say that the transport of stego-objects constitutes a covert channel).  In my opinion, a pure covert channel is only resultant of data in motion/transit.  If the payload is just as hidden when it is at rest compared to it during transit, it is likely steganography, and not a pure c.c.  For example, I wouldn’t consider stego-images emailed between two points to be a covert channel.  What criteria would you propose?

Please reply to the list, thanks for your input!


Cheers,

Erik
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