Wireshark · Wireshark-users: Re: [Wireshark-users] from the past

["Gianluca Varenni" <gianluca.varenni@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Now I'm a bit confused (I'm probably missing something here). In your 
original email you said

> > > > > > > > > > > The second issue, however, is still a big concern.  The 
> > > > > > > > > > > etherXXXXa
> > > > > > > > > > > file always contains the complete (passwords included)
> > > > > > > > > > > authentication
> > > > > > > > > > > data plus more.  Again, this unsaved (by me) login information 
> > > > > > > > > > > was
> > > > > > > > > > > sent over the wire in the past (PPP PAP), yet it is being saved
> > > > > > > > > > > (by
> > > > > > > > > > > ?)
> > > > > > > > > > > and put into this file in the present. How can I prevent this
> > > > > > > > > > > login
> > > > > > > > > > > info from being saved?  How can I encrypt this login info? This 
> > > > > > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > security risk.

I don't understand if

1. the file etherXXXX "magically" appears even when you do not start 
wireshark and you do not start a capture

or

2. you do open wireshark and start a capture (in this case wireshark does 
create an etherXXXX file), and you see packets containing your username and
password (and other sensitive data) that were exchanged with your ISP/proxy 
*well before* you started to capture with wireshark.

Which one is the right one?

GV





--------------------------------------------------
From: "M K" <gedropi@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 1:48 PM
To: "Community support list for Wireshark" <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Wireshark-users] from the past

> The etherXXXX file is only a tmp file written in hex.  I believe that
> it would be impossible to open within WS because the only time the
> ethernet file exists is when you are already in the middle of a
> capture.  And it vanishes when you stop the capture or shut down WS, I
> believe.  Opening another file while performing a capture is not
> enabled.  Unless if you had multiple instances of WS perhaps.
>
> On 3/24/10, Gianluca Varenni <gianluca.varenni@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > From: "M K" <gedropi@xxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 1:29 PM
> > To: "Community support list for Wireshark" 
> > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: [Wireshark-users] from the past
> >
> > > The WS  capture file does have time stamps.  The etherXXXXa file lives
> > > at:  \Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp within
> > > Windows.  This tmp file does not appear to have obvious timestamps.
> > > Machine name, Administrator User name, packet source/dest and at
> > > times, also the passwords to Windows and ISP.
> >
> > Wait... is this a pcap file or not? Can you open it with wireshark?
> >
> > Have a nice day
> > GV
> >
> >
> > > On 3/24/10, Gianluca Varenni <gianluca.varenni@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > > --------------------------------------------------
> > > > From: "M K" <gedropi@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 12:45 PM
> > > > To: "Community support list for Wireshark"
> > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > Subject: Re: [Wireshark-users] from the past
> > > >
> > > > > Sorry.  I got called away.
> > > > >
> > > > > The etherXXXX tmp file doesn't appear to have timestamps.  But within
> > > >
> > > > If it's a valid capture file, the packets must have a timestamp, if you
> > > > open
> > > > the file with wireshark.
> > > >
> > > > GV
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > WS, the LLC (Layer 2) & PPP LCP protocols are the first protocols to
> > > > > show up in the trace at the time the login info is captured inside the
> > > > > tmp file.
> > > > >
> > > > > I suspect that this info is being passed to the tmp file.  Possible
> > > > > suspects: the OS or networking appliances.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes, the interface is:  Adapter for generic dialup and VPN
> > > > >
> > > > > And thanks for this feedback and help.
> > > > >
> > > > > On 3/24/10, Gianluca Varenni <gianluca.varenni@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > > > > You didn't answer my questions:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 1. what is the timestamp of those packets?
> > > > > > 2. what interface are you capturing from?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Are capturing from what is called "Adapter for generic dialup and VPN
> > > > > > capture"?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Have a nice day
> > > > > > GV
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --------------------------------------------------
> > > > > > From: "M K" <gedropi@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 9:25 AM
> > > > > > To: "Community support list for Wireshark"
> > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > Subject: Re: [Wireshark-users] from the past
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > That is exactly what I am doing.  I log onto my Windows machine, 
> > > > > > > then
> > > > > > > my ISP, then my proxy.  Then maybe go to a few websites, for 
> > > > > > > example.
> > > > > > > Then maybe after a half hour, I may then start up a WS capture.
> > > > > > > Still, even after all that time between logons and actually starting 
> > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > capture, the etherXXXXa tmp file still contains this private info.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > According to Jeff, the etherXXXXa file only captures what is not
> > > > > > > encrypted.  That makes this even more scary.  That means that not 
> > > > > > > only
> > > > > > > is the info being captured but it isn't even being protected by even
> > > > > > > low-grade encryption.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > On 3/24/10, Gianluca Varenni <gianluca.varenni@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------
> > > > > > > > From: "M K" <gedropi@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 9:11 AM
> > > > > > > > To: "Community support list for Wireshark"
> > > > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > Subject: Re: [Wireshark-users] from the past
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > That is the question.  I am saying that some program (?) is
> > > > > > > > > capturing
> > > > > > > > > my unsaved login info.  Then at a later point, when I start a WS
> > > > > > > > > capture, that login info from the past is put into that 
> > > > > > > > > EtherxXXXXa
> > > > > > > > > tmp file.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > What happens if you log into your ISP and proxy, wait let's say 5
> > > > > > > > minutes
> > > > > > > > and then start wireshark? Do those packets still show up? what is
> > > > > > > > their
> > > > > > > > tiemstamp?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > GV
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > On 3/24/10, Gianluca Varenni <gianluca.varenni@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 
> > > > > > > > > wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > Are you saying that when you start Wireshark, wireshark itself
> > > > > > > > > > starts
> > > > > > > > > > capturing, *before* you click the start capture button on it?
> > > > > > > > > > Which adapter is wireshark capturing from?
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Have a nice day
> > > > > > > > > > GV
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------
> > > > > > > > > > From: "M K" <gedropi@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:12 AM
> > > > > > > > > > To: <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > > > Subject: [Wireshark-users] from the past
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Jeff Morriss suggested that I pose this question to you folks.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Here is what I wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > First:
> > > > > > > > > > > I first log onto Windows machine
> > > > > > > > > > > I log onto my Isp
> > > > > > > > > > > I log into my proxy
> > > > > > > > > > > Maybe do a few things online (eg. go to a few websites)
> > > > > > > > > > > Then log into Wireshark
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Next:
> > > > > > > > > > > When launching WS, immediately the capture starts a DNS
> > > > > > > > > > > authentication
> > > > > > > > > > > trace
> > > > > > > > > > > and an etherXXXXa* file with Windows & ISP usernames AND 
> > > > > > > > > > > passwords
> > > > > > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > > created.
> > > > > > > > > > > Since I expect WS to be literal, I would expect that those 
> > > > > > > > > > > actions
> > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > had
> > > > > > > > > > > taken place in the past (logons & DNS authentication) would not 
> > > > > > > > > > > be
> > > > > > > > > > > captured
> > > > > > > > > > > since WS had not been started when I logged on.  That means that
> > > > > > > > > > > this
> > > > > > > > > > > information is being cached or worse somewhere.  For my peace of
> > > > > > > > > > > mind,
> > > > > > > > > > > please
> > > > > > > > > > > can you tell me about this security issue?  Thank you.
> > > > > > > > > > > ......................
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > Here is what Jeff wrote:
> > > > > > > > > > > Anyway, a brief answer: Wireshark on Windows relies on WinPCAP 
> > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > do
> > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > capturing.  I'm pretty sure WinPCAP won't start capturing until
> > > > > > > > > > > you
> > > > > > > > > > > ask
> > > > > > > > > > > it
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > do so.  And I'm pretty sure that the OS's TCP/IP stack isn't 
> > > > > > > > > > > going
> > > > > > > > > > > to
> > > > > > > > > > > cache
> > > > > > > > > > > stuff to give to WinPCAP after the fact.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > (BTW, the etherXXX file is just the temporary PCAP file that
> > > > > > > > > > > contains
> > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > packets that were captured--and what Wireshark displays for you.
> > > > > > > > > > > The
> > > > > > > > > > > fact
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > that
> > > > > > > > > > > your password, etc., are in there just indicate that your
> > > > > > > > > > > password,
> > > > > > > > > > > etc.,
> > > > > > > > > > > were
> > > > > > > > > > > sent over the wire unencrypted.)
> > > > > > > > > > > ..............
> > > > > > > > > > > What Jeff described is what I expected but I believe that I
> > > > > > > > > > > understand
> > > > > > > > > > > now what I am seeing.  WS does its own DNS.  So, that explains 
> > > > > > > > > > > the
> > > > > > > > > > > first question.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > The second issue, however, is still a big concern.  The 
> > > > > > > > > > > etherXXXXa
> > > > > > > > > > > file always contains the complete (passwords included)
> > > > > > > > > > > authentication
> > > > > > > > > > > data plus more.  Again, this unsaved (by me) login information 
> > > > > > > > > > > was
> > > > > > > > > > > sent over the wire in the past (PPP PAP), yet it is being saved
> > > > > > > > > > > (by
> > > > > > > > > > > ?)
> > > > > > > > > > > and put into this file in the present. How can I prevent this
> > > > > > > > > > > login
> > > > > > > > > > > info from being saved?  How can I encrypt this login info? This 
> > > > > > > > > > > is
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > a
> > > > > > > > > > > security risk.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > > > > > All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do
> > > > > > > > > > > nothing.
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > >              ~Edmund Burke
> > > > > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list
> > > > > > > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > > > > > Unsubscribe: 
> > > > > > > > > > > https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list
> > > > > > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > > > > Unsubscribe: 
> > > > > > > > > > https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > > > All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do
> > > > > > > > > nothing.
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > >              ~Edmund Burke
> > > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list
> > > > > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > > > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list
> > > > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > --
> > > > > > > All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do 
> > > > > > > nothing.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >              ~Edmund Burke
> > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list
> > > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > > > > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list
> > > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > > > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > > > >
> > > > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
> > > > >
> > > > >              ~Edmund Burke
> > > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list
> > > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > > >
> > > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > > >
> > > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list 
> > > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > > >
> > > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
> > >
> > >              ~Edmund Burke
> > > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list 
> > > <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> > >
> > > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
> >
> > ___________________________________________________________________________
> > Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> > Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
> >
> > mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
>
>
> --
> All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
>
>              ~Edmund Burke
> ___________________________________________________________________________
> Sent via:    Wireshark-users mailing list <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
> Unsubscribe: https://wireshark.org/mailman/options/wireshark-users
>
> mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe