Symantec encryption desktop verify key windows#

The problem was described by Network Associates as follows: On this Web site, my PGP keys are ASCII armored. PGP can encrypt files as ASCII armored and generate ASCII armored signature files.

The term ASCII armored describes a character-based file that can actually represent a binary file (e.g.: an executable).

Symantec encryption desktop verify key windows#

Some reports, however, described this as a PGP flaw and not a Windows flaw. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 all have the same design flaw. This is a real problem, but the fault lies within the design of Micro$oft's Windows. The ASCII Armored Parser Vulnerability (CVE-2001-0265) It has no impact whatsoever if your computer's hard drive is secured from external access. This vulnerability does not compromise secure encryption by PGP. I too remain unconvinced that this is a problem. This is still only a candidate as of 11 Feb 2010, nine years after it was first reported. They have a vested interest in casting doubt on PGP.

Klima and Rosa are employed by a company that markets security software.

Since the first tenant of security and privacy is to maintain control of the computer, if this basic requirement is met, any threat is minimal. We acknowledge the vulnerability theoretically exists, but want to assure our users that to exploit the vulnerability requires physical access to the computer and modification of files. If that is going to happen, would it not be easier - and possibly more productive - for the attacker merely to replace the PGP program with a doctored version? As Network Associates said (when they still owned PGP):

When you read the details of how your private key and passphrase might be compromised, you find that it requires the attacker to access your computer and alter your key (i.e.: write to your disc) twice.While some claim that 'Phil Zimmerman' verified the existence of the flaw, I was unable to locate any actual message from Zimmermann.Two weeks after a press release about this problem, CERT remained silent.The private key vulnerability asserted by Vlastimil Klima and Tomas Rosa in March 2001 is quite different from the ADK problem. Private Key Vulnerability (CVE-2001-0381) (candidate)

This vulnerability was corrected in PGP 6.5.8 and never affected PGP 2.6.x. Carnegie-Mellon's CERT issued warnings, and Zimmermann had a signed statement confirming the flaw. The ADK problem discovered in mid-2000 is an example of a real flaw in PGP. However, where a problem is indicated as not affecting a certain version, no such assumption should be made. Where a problem is indicated as being fixed in a certain version, assume that it remains fixed in later versions. I indicate candidate when the CVE team is not yet convinced the asserted vulnerability is real. Since I support the goal of Mitre's CVE project - to standardize the identification of computer vulnerabilities - I list the CVE number (if known) for each problem. These are only the problems that I have evaluated because they might impact my own use of PGP. The problems described below do not form a comprehensive list. When Zimmermann does make public pronouncements, he uses PGP to sign them. Actually, I do not believe statements attributed to Zimmermann unless I can see his original message. Never believe that assertion if his name is spelled Zimmerman, with only one n at the end. Sometimes, the report of a flaw in PGP indicates that Philip Zimmermann (the creator of PGP) has verified the report. The lack of any such announcement should cause skepticism. Preliminary, unevaluated reports might also be found at the Mitre Corporation's Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) project. government department) that issue warnings about Internet and computer security. When they are, you should expect to see some kind of announcement by CERT or CISA two agencies (one at a university, the other part of a U.S. Buffer Overflow in Outlook Plug-In for PGPĮvery so often, someone reports a weakness or failure in PGP.