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Status Not under consideration
Workspace Sterling Connect:Direct
Categories Security
Created by Guest
Created on Aug 19, 2019

RELATED IDEAS

Make the version info in the banner of the CLI commands (direct, ndmcli, ...) & GUIs consult a file in the install tree

We have received several security findings because CD gives version details that will allow hackers info on how to hack the software.

What is your industry? Banking
How will this idea be used?

We would edit the version file with "IBM(R) Sterling Connect:Direct(R) for UNIX "
  • Admin
    Chris Sanders
    Mar 20, 2020

    Thank you very much for including that additional information. We've discussed this further internally, but don't believe that we'll be able to focus resources on this change in the short to medium term.

    While I understand your explanation we feel that anyone who is granted access to one of these systems should also have basic information available about the system that they are logging into. There are also other ways that a user could view the version information as well which could not be blocked in a reasonable fashion. Those points as well as a lack of broader market interest make it unlikely that we'd be able to focus on this within a reasonable amount of time so this will be declined.

    I do want to thank you very much for using the enhancement request tool and would encourage you to utilize it again if you uncover other ideas that we should consider.

    Thanks,

    Chris Sanders

    Connect:Direct Offering Manager

  • Guest
    Sep 3, 2019

    Chris,

    Multiple security frame works(PCI-DSS, OWASP, etc.) discuss altering software banners to not provide version data to a potential hacker. By placing the banner in a file external to the executable, then administrator of a Connect:Direct install can customize the banner to show legal messages, remove version info, display help phone numbers, etc.

    Indeed as you mention this should only be accessible to users that have access, however, many of the most damaging penetrations of enterprise systems arise from internal actors or valid accounts that have been compromised. Please consider this enhancement as a way to allow your customers to meet this requirement. By comparison understand that sFTP provides this capability.

    Thanks

  • Admin
    Chris Sanders
    Aug 30, 2019

    Thank you for opening this enhancement request with IBM. I have reviewed it thoroughly with my team and we aren't quite sure we understand the security implications that you've mentioned.

    The C:D CLI should only be accessible by users that have permissions to interact with C:D. We would expect that these users should know the version/maintenance that is being used as they would have access to perform other tasks such as submitting processes, checking the status of transfers, potentially making configuration changes, etc. If we have overlooked a specific reason that you believe this causes security concerns I'd be happy to review further however.

    Sincerely,

    Chris Sanders

    Connect:Direct Offering Manager

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