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

From: M K <gedropi@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:45:55 -0800
Sorry.  I got called away.

The etherXXXX tmp file doesn't appear to have timestamps.  But within
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
>>>>>> ___________________________________________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> mailto:wireshark-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe
>>>>>
>>>>> ___________________________________________________________________________
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>>>>> <wireshark-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
>>>>
>>>>              ~Edmund Burke
>>>> ___________________________________________________________________________
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>>
>>
>> --
>> All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
>>
>>              ~Edmund Burke
>> ___________________________________________________________________________
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>> Archives:    http://www.wireshark.org/lists/wireshark-users
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>>
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>
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-- 
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

              ~Edmund Burke