
May 1995
Revision 9
JPO#94-478


		   The CERT* Coordination Center FAQ


=======================================================================
= Preface 	  					              =
=======================================================================

This document is intended to answer the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
about the CERT Coordination Center.  The FAQ is a dynamic document that will
change as information changes.  Suggestions for additional sections are
welcome -- please e-mail them to cert@cert.org.  The most recent copy of this
FAQ will be available via anonymous FTP from info.cert.org in the /pub
directory.


Questions answered in this document

A.  Introduction to the CERT Coordination Center
	A1.  What is the CERT Coordination Center?
	A2.  How do I contact the CERT Coordination Center?
	A3.  What's in the CERT Coordination Center name?
B.  Where to go for information
	B1.  What is a CERT advisory?
	B2.  Where can I obtain archived CERT advisories?
	B3.  Can I obtain source code to a patch described in a CERT
	     advisory?  
	B4.  What security mailing lists, newsgroups, and other sources of
	     information does the CERT Coordination Center recommend?
	B5.  What information is available via anonymous FTP from the
	     CERT Coordination Center?
	B6.  What presentations, workshops, and seminars does the CERT 
	     Coordination Center offer?
	B7.  What books or articles does the CERT Coordination Center
	     recommend?  
C.  Incident Response
	C1.  What kind of information should I provide to the CERT
	     Coordination Center when my site has experienced an intrusion?


=======================================================================
= Section A.   Introduction to the CERT Coordination Center	      =
=======================================================================

A1.  	What is the CERT Coordination Center?

	The CERT Coordination Center is the organization that grew from the 
	computer emergency response team formed by the Defense Advanced 
	Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in November 1988 in response to the
	needs exhibited during the Internet worm incident. The CERT charter 
	is to work with the Internet community to facilitate its response to 
	computer security events involving Internet hosts, to take proactive
	steps to raise the community's awareness of computer security issues, 
	and to conduct research targeted at improving the security of existing
	systems.

	CERT products and services include 24-hour technical
	assistance for responding to computer security incidents,
	product vulnerability assistance, technical documents, and
	seminars.  In addition, the team maintains a number of
	mailing lists (including one for CERT advisories) and
	provides an anonymous FTP server:  info.cert.org, where
        security-related documents, past CERT advisories, and
	tools are archived.   

A2.	CERT Coordination Center contact information:

     	U.S. mail address
	  CERT Coordination Center
	  Software Engineering Institute
	  Carnegie Mellon University
	  Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
	  U.S.A.

     	Internet E-mail address
	  cert@cert.org

     	Telephone number
	  +1 412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline)
            CERT Coordination Center personnel answer 
	    8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. EST(GMT-5)/EDT(GMT-4), on call for
	    emergencies during other hours.

     	FAX number
	  +1 412-268-6989 


A3.  	What's in the CERT name?

	Since its beginning in 1988, the CERT Coordination Center has acquired
	its name through an evolutionary process. Because of this, you may see
	the CERT Coordination Center referred to by several different names. 
	While you may hear us called Computer Emergency Response Team,
	CERT/CC, or CERT, our proper name is the CERT Coordination Center.

	CERT(sm) is a service mark of Carnegie Mellon University.

	The CERT e-mail address has undergone a similar evolution. We use the 
	e-mail address:  

		cert@cert.org

	Any references to:  

		cert@cert.sei.cmu.edu 
			or 
		cert@sei.cmu.edu 

	should be changed to the new address (cert@cert.org).


=======================================================================
= Section B.   Where To Go for Information		       	      =
=======================================================================

B1.  	What is a CERT advisory?

	A CERT advisory provides information on how to obtain a patch or
	details of a workaround for a known computer security problem.
	The CERT Coordination Center works with vendors to produce a 
	workaround or a patch for a problem, and does not publish 
	vulnerability information until a workaround or a patch is available. 
	A CERT advisory may also be a warning to our constituency about ongoing
	attacks (e.g., "CA-91:18.Active.Internet.tftp.Attacks").

	CERT advisories are published on the USENET newsgroup:  
	
		comp.security.announce 

	and are distributed via the cert-advisory mailing list.  Both
	of these publication methods are described below. 

	CERT advisory archives are available via anonymous FTP from 
	info.cert.org in the /pub/cert_advisories directory. 


B2.  	Where can I obtain archived CERT advisories?

	CERT advisories are available via anonymous FTP from info.cert.org
	in the /pub/cert_advisories directory.  The "01-README" file provides
	a short summary of each of the	advisories.


B3.  	Can I get source code to a patch described in a CERT advisory?

	The CERT Coordination Center does not provide source-level patches.  
	Some vendors make source-level patches available to their source 
	customers while others only distribute binary patches.  Contact your
	vendor for more information.   


B4.  	What security mailing lists, newsgroups, and other sources of
	information does the CERT Coordination Center recommend?

	(a) CERT mailing lists
	
		(1) CERT advisory mailing list

		    The CERT Coordination Center maintains a CERT
		    advisory mailing list for those members of the
		    constituency who are unable to access USENET news
		    or who would like to have advisories mailed
		    directly to them or to a mail exploder at their
		    site.  If you would like to be added to the
		    mailing list, please send mail to:  

			cert-advisory-request@cert.org

		    You will receive confirmation mail when you have
		    been placed on the list.


		(2) CERT tools mailing list

		    The purpose of this moderated mailing list is to
		    encourage the exchange of information on security
		    tools and techniques.  The list should not be used
		    for security problem reports.    

		    The CERT Coordination Center will not formally
		    review, evaluate, or endorse the tools and
		    techniques described.  The decision to use the
		    tools and techniques described is the
		    responsibility of each user or organization, and
		    we encourage each organization to thoroughly
		    evaluate new tools and techniques before
		    installation or use. 

		    Membership is restricted to system programmers,
		    system administrators, and others with a
		    legitimate interest in the development of computer
		    security tools.  If you would like to be
		    considered for inclusion, please send mail to:  
	
			cert-tools-request@cert.org 

		    You will receive confirmation mail when you have
		    been placed on the list.


	(b) Other security-related mailing lists

		(1) VIRUS-L mailing list (see comp.virus newsgroup
			below) 

		    VIRUS-L is a moderated mailing list with a focus
		    on computer virus issues.  For more information,
		    including a copy of the posting guidelines, see
		    the file "virus-l.README", available by anonymous
		    FTP from cs.ucr.edu.  To be added to the mailing 
                    list, send mail to:  

		   	listserv@lehigh.edu

		    In the body of the message, put nothing more than:

			SUB VIRUS-L your name

		(2) Firewalls mailing list

		    The Firewalls mailing list is a discussion forum for
		    firewall administrators and implementors. To subscribe 
		    to Firewalls, send mail to:

			Majordomo@GreatCircle.COM

		    In the body of the message, put only:

			subscribe firewalls

		(3) Firewalls digest

		    The Firewalls digest is a compilation of messages from the
		    Firewalls mailing list. To subscribe to the Firewalls 
		    digest, send mail to:

			Majordomo@GreatCircle.COM

		    In the body of the message, put only:

			subscribe firewalls-digest

		    Compressed back issues are available via anonymous FTP
		    from: 

			FTP.GreatCircle.COM 

		    in pub/firewalls/digest/vNN.nMMM.Z (where "NN" is the
		    volume number and "MMM" is the issue number).


	(c) USENET newsgroups

		(1) comp.security.announce

		    The comp.security.announce newsgroup is moderated
		    and is used solely for the distribution of CERT
		    advisories.  

		(2) comp.security.misc

		    The comp.security.misc is a forum for the
		    discussion of computer security, especially as it
		    relates to the UNIX(r) Operating System. 

		(3) alt.security 

		    The alt.security newsgroup is also a forum for the
		    discussion of computer security, as well as other
		    issues such as car locks and alarm systems.  

		(4) comp.virus

		    The comp.virus newsgroup is a moderated newsgroup
		    with a focus on computer virus issues.  For more
		    information, including a copy of the posting
		    guidelines, see the file "virus-l.README",
		    available via anonymous FTP on info.cert.org
		    in the /pub/virus-l directory.  

		(5) comp.risks

		    The comp.risks newsgroup is a moderated forum on
		    the risks to the public in computers and related
		    systems. 


	(d) NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
		Computer Security Bulletin Board

	    Information posted on the bboard includes an events
	    calendar, software reviews, publications, bibliographies,
	    lists of organizations, and other government bulletin
	    board numbers.  This bboard contains no sensitive 
	    (unclassified or classified) information.  

	    If you have any questions, contact NIST by phone at:
	    301-975-3359; by FAX at:  301-590-0932; or by e-mail at:
	    csrc@csrc.ncsl.nist.gov. 


B5.  	What information is available via anonymous FTP from CERT? 

	The CERT Coordination Center has a variety of computer security 
	information available by anonymous FTP to info.cert.org in /pub 
	directory. In the /pub directory, the file "ls-lR" lists the
	subdirectories and the files found in those subdirectories. Examples 
	of what you will find in the /pub directory are listed below.

	/pub/CERT_Press_Release_8812:  The file
	"CERT_Press_Release_8812" is a copy of the December 1988 DARPA
	press release announcing the formation of the CERT
	Coordination Center. 

	/pub/FIRST:  The /pub/FIRST directory contains a file,
	"first-contacts".  FIRST, the Forum of Incident Response and
	Security Teams, is an organization whose members work together
	voluntarily to deal with computer security problems and their
	prevention.  General information on FIRST is available via
	anonymous FTP from csrc.ncsl.nist.gov in the /pub/first
	directory.  The name of the file is "op_frame.txt".  The
	document begins with a description of the CERT System, which
	was later renamed "FIRST".  Also in that directory are the
	minutes from meetings, a list of FIRST contacts (also
	duplicated in the CERT anonymous FTP area on info.cert.org
	in the /pub/FIRST directory), and other related
	information.  

	/pub/cert_advisories:  The /pub/cert_advisories directory
	contains archived copies of past CERT advisories, the
	"01-README" file, a copy of the CERT press release from
	December 1988 announcing the formation of the CERT Coordination 
	Center, an article from the March 1990 issue of Bridge, a magazine 
	published by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), describing 
	CERT, and a file containing information on the status of the rdist
	patch.  

	/pub/clippings:  The /pub/clippings directory is an archive
	service for computer security. This archive is a central
	repository for selected security related USENET News and
	mailing list postings.  The archive will not be restricted to
	any one newsgroup or mailing list.  To submit an article for
	the clippings archive, please send e-mail to: 

		clip@cert.org

	/pub/cops:  The /pub/cops directory includes the information
	for the COPS package.  COPS is a publicly available collection
	of programs that attempts to identify security problems in the
	UNIX Operating System.  COPS does not attempt to correct
	any discrepancies found; it simply produces a report of its 
	findings. 

	/pub/info:  The /pub/info directory contains online copies of 
	security-related books and papers, including Dave Curry's May
	1990 SRI Tech Report "Improving the Security of Your Unix
	System", "Computer Emergency Response - An International
	Problem" by Richard D. Pethia and Kenneth R. van Wyk, the
	report "Coping with the Threat of Computer Security Incidents:
	A Primer from Prevention through Recovery" by Russell Brand,
	and the Department of Defense Trusted Computer System
	Evaluation Criteria CSC-STD-001-83 often referred to as the
	"Orange Book".  (Note:  This is the Aug 1983 version of this
	document; this document was revised in Dec 1985.)

	/pub/network_tools:  The /pub/network_tools directory contains
	network tools made available via anonymous FTP.  The file
	"tcp_wrapper.xx" is a TCP daemon wrapper program that will
	provide additional logging information and access control for
	many network services (also duplicated in the /pub/tools
	directory). 

	/pub/papers:  The /pub/papers directory contains the
	announcement of the CERT tools mailing list. 

	/pub/ssphwg:  The /pub/ssphwg directory contains archived
	information from the IETF Site Security Policy Handbook
	Working Group and the IETF Security Policy Working Group. 
	RFC 1244, "Site Security Handbook" was the result of the Site
	Security Policy Handbook Working Group; and RFC 1281,
	"Guidelines for the Secure Operation of the Internet" was the
	result of the Security Policy Working Group.  Both of these
	RFCs are available in the /pub/info directory, as mentioned
	above. 

	/pub/tech_tips:  The /pub/tech_tips directory contains
	documents on anonymous FTP configurations, packet filtering,
	and the CERT security checklist. 

	/pub/tools:  The /pub/tools directory contains various
	software programs, including COPS, Crack, TCP daemon wrappers,
	and virus-detection programs. 

	/pub/virus-l:  The /pub/virus-l directory contains the
	archives and other VIRUS-L and VALERT-L mailing list
	documents. 


B6.  	What presentations, workshops, and seminars does the CERT
	Coordination Center offer? 

	(a) Presentations

	    Throughout the year, members of the CERT Coordination
	    Center give presentations at various technical
	    conferences, seminars, and regional networks.
	    Periodically, special arrangements can be made to tailor
	    the presentation to fit the requirements of the specific
	    site.  For further information regarding presentations,
	    please contact the CERT Coordination Center. (Contact information
	    is in section A.2.)

	(b) Workshops

	    From 1989 to 1992 the CERT Coordination Center hosted and
	    co-sponsored the FIRST Workshop on Incident Handling. CERT has 
	    also participated in subsequent workshops.  For further information
	    about the FIRST Workshop on Incident Handling, please contact the 
	    CERT Coordination Center. 
 	 	
	(c) Seminars

	    (1) Internet Security for Managers

		Description:  This seminar is to help 
  	  	managers understand what needs to be done to ensure 
		that their computer systems and networks are as 
		securely managed as possible when operating within
		the Internet community.  Attendees will be provided 
		with information that will enable them to formulate 
		realistic security policies, procedures, and
		programs specific to their operating environment.  

		Audience:  This seminar is designed for managers of
		computing centers/facilities, individuals tasked to
		evaluate/initiate Internet connectivity, senior system
		administrators, and others interested in computer
		security within the Internet community.

	    (2) Internet Security for UNIX System Administrators

		Description:  The information presented in this
		seminar is based on incidents reported to the CERT
		Coordination Center.  The topics covered will include
		defensive and offensive strategies for system
		administration, site-specific security policies, and
		incident handling.

		Audience:  This seminar is designed for users and
		system administrators of hosts using the UNIX
		Operating System.  It is especially suited for system 
		administrators of systems connected to a wide
		area network based on TCP/IP such as the Internet.
		Some system administrator experience is assumed. 


B7.  	What books or articles does the CERT Coordination Center
	recommend?   

	[Bishop 87]	Bishop, Matt.  "How to Write a Setuid
			Program."  ;login: 12, 1 (Jan/Feb 1987):
			5-12. 

	[Cheswick 94]	Cheswick, William R.; Bellovin, Steven M.
			Firewalls and Internet Security: Repelling the Wily 
			Hacker. New York: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 
			1994.

	[Curry 90]	Curry, Dave.  "Improving the Security of Your
			UNIX System" (Technical Report
			ITSTD-721-FR-90-21). Menlo Park, CA:  SRI
			International, April 1990. 

	[Curry 92]	Curry, David A.  UNIX System Security:  A
			Guide for Users and System Administrators.
			Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., 
			1992. (ISBN 0-201-56327-4)

	[Denning 91]	Denning, Peter J., ed.  Computers Under
			Attack: Intruders, Worms, and Viruses.  ACM
			Press, New York: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company,
			Inc., 1990. (ISBN 0-201-53067-8)

	[Ellis 94]	Ellis, Jim; Fraser, Barbara; Pesante, Linda. "Keeping
			Internet Intruders Away." UNIX Review 12, 9 (September
                        1994): 35-44.

	[Farrow 91]	Farrow, Rik.  How to Protect Your Data and
			Prevent Intruders:  UNIX System Security.
			Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 
			1991. (ISBN 0-201-57030-0)

	[Fithen 94]	Fithen, Katherine; Fraser, Barbara. "CERT Incident
			Response and the Internet." Communications of the ACM 
			37, 8 (August 1994):108-113.

	[Garfinkel and Spafford 91]	
			Garfinkel, Simson; Spafford, Gene.  Practical
			UNIX Security.  Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly & Associates,
			Inc., 1991. (ISBN 0-937175-72-2) 

	[Grampo and Morris 84]	
			Grampo, M.; Morris, R.T.  "UNIX Operating
			System Security."  AT&T Technical Journal
			63, 8 (Oct 1984):  1649-1672.

	[Hafner and Markoff 91]
			Hafner, Katie; Markoff, John.  Cyberpunk:
			Outlaws and Hackers on the Computer Frontier.
			New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1991. 

	[Morris and Thompson 79]
			Morris, R.T.; Thompson, K.  "Password
			Security: A Case History."  Coomunications of the ACM 
			22, 11 (November 1979):  594-597.

	[Nemeth, Snyder, and Seebass 89]
			Nemeth, Evi; Snyder, Garth; Seebass, Scott.
			UNIX System Administration Handbook.  Englewood
			Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1989.
			(ISBN 0-13-933441-6)

	[Stoll 89]	Stoll, Clifford.  The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a
			Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage.
			New York, NY: Doubleday, 1989. (ISBN 0-385-24946-2)

	[Wood and Kochran 86]
			Wood, Patrick; Kochran, Stephen.  UNIX System
			Security.  Hasbrouck Heights, NJ: Haden Books, 1986.



=======================================================================
= Section C.   Incident Response				      =
=======================================================================

C1.  	What kind of information should I provide to the CERT staff when my 
	site has had an intrusion?

	The CERT Coordination Center would like as much information as
	possible, including opinions and thoughts as to how the
	break-in occurred.  Some specifics include:

		 1) names of host(s) compromised at your site

		 2) architecture and OS (operating system and revision)
		    of compromised host(s)

		 3) whether or not security patches have been applied
		    to the compromised host(s); if so, were patches
	  	    applied before or after the intrusion

		 4) account name(s) compromised

		 5) other host(s)/site(s) involved in the intrusion and
		    whether or not you have already contacted those
		    site(s) about the intrusion 

		 6) if other site(s) have been contacted, the contact 
		    information used for contacting the site(s)
		    involved 

		 7) if CERT is to contact the other site(s), can we
		    give the other sites your contact information
		    (i.e., your name, e-mail address, and phone number)


		 8) whether or not any law enforcement agencies have
		    been contacted

		 9) appropriate log extracts (including timestamps)

		10) what assistance you would like from the CERT
		    Coordination Center



*CERT is a service mark of Carnegie Mellon University.

UNIX(r) is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. 

The CERT Coordination Center is sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects
Agency (ARPA). The Software Engineering Institute is sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Defense.
