Security Basics mailing list archives
Re: Removing ping/icmp from a network
From: "Jim Parkhurst" <JPARKHUR () dot state tx us>
Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:01:54 -0500
At my employment we are using a software package to monitor security calls received by a Radionics Security Receiver (6600). That software - PHOENIX [abmsystemsllc.com] uses ICMP to transfer received information to the monitoring station(s). ICMP may not be critical, er, vital for network performance and operation, but there are certain circumstances where it is used. In my case, ICMP is routed as necessary by the uber-IT folks.
"Jason Thompson" <securitux () gmail com> 03/26/2008 09:55 >>>
ICMP is not vital for network operation, though it is convenient. PING isn't required at all, ICMP unreachable messages don't do anything other than notify the receiver to stop trying to connect to a destination as it isn't alive (the receiver should get a hint of this when his SYN's don't get a SYN ACK), ICMP redirects shouldn't happen if your network is structured properly, and even if it's not, it just adds an extra hop. I don't see any ICMP messages that are a MUST for network operation. That being said, if network monitoring is being done via SNMPv1 or v2 which isn't secure at all, ICMP is the least of your problems. I agree with a few here that you allow ICMP from trusted to untrusted, but not vice versa. And definitely NO ICMP from the Internet. Keep in mind, if you give ICMP the boot on your internal network, expect a lot more support calls as most users don't consider a device up and working unless they can ping it. -J On Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 12:29 PM, Secure This <lists () securethis net> wrote:
I have a variety of clients with data centres who all make use of icmp/ping to monitor their servers/appliances/devices (often with poorly configured snmp versions 1 and 2). Could anybody kindly advise me of tools and strategies for minimising or removing the use of icmp/ping on a supposedly secure network? Thanks in advance
Current thread:
- RE: Removing ping/icmp from a network, (continued)
- RE: Removing ping/icmp from a network Adewale, Akin (IT Services - Infosec Team) (Mar 28)
- RE: Removing ping/icmp from a network Craig Wright (Mar 28)
- Re: Removing ping/icmp from a network Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Mar 28)
- Re: Removing ping/icmp from a network Jason (Mar 28)
- Re: Removing ping/icmp from a network Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers (Mar 31)
- RE: Removing ping/icmp from a network Joachim Thuau (Mar 26)
- Re: Removing ping/icmp from a network Michael Painter (Mar 28)
- Re: Removing ping/icmp from a network Jon R. Kibler (Mar 26)
- Re: Removing ping/icmp from a network Jason (Mar 26)