Core Security Technologies Unveils a New Attack Technique for Database Systems;

Core Security Technologies, provider of CORE IMPACT, the most comprehensive product for performing enterprise security assurance testing, today presented the results of the company's research work on a new type of attack that could be used to obtain confidential information from databases. This technique could allow attackers with only the access rights of normal users to retrieve confidential data from databases. CoreLabs, the research arm of Core Security, discovered the method, which enables an attacker to execute a timing attack to retrieve private entries from database tables without requiring the existence of implementation bugs or incorrect security configurations in the database system.

"Because databases are so widely used to house confidential information, it is important for security-conscious organizations to proactively identify potential database threats and start planning for appropriate countermeasures," said Ivan Arce, CTO of Core Security Technologies. "While this new attack method is still far from widespread use, our research showed that the threat is plausible. Effective data security goes beyond simply fixing implementation bugs or configuring access rights; it should be an inherent, built-in feature of database systems and not an afterthought addressed with add-on components. This new attack technique makes that point because it exploits a weakness that is buried deep in the internals of the database system."

Organizations across most industries depend on database engines to store and manage privacy-sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, medical records, authentication credentials and personal financial information. To accommodate the business need of ubiquitous access to information, organizations often use web-based applications as the standard front end to their database systems. In today's threat landscape, data security breaches are mostly due to the exploitation of bugs in these front-end web applications (e.g., via SQL injection) or to the abuse of improperly configured authorization and access control privileges on the database system.Today at Black Hat USA 2007 in Las Vegas, CoreLabs researchers Damian Saura and Ariel Waissbein presented research results on a new attack technique that compromises databases without requiring implementation bugs or incorrect security configurations. The new attack relies solely on the application of a timing attack, a technique typically used to break cipher system implementations, to exploit some inherent weaknesses in the indexing algorithms used by most commercial database management systems.

Saura and Waissbein presented the audience with the research steps that led them to find this attack method, illustrated its effectiveness both in theory and by describing their experiments implementing the attack against a default MySQL database installation. They also discussed prevention and detection methods.

Featured

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk Dies After Utah Valley University Shooting

    Charlie Kirk, a popular conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, died Wednesday after being shot during an on-campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.