full-disclosure - Re: posting xss notifications in sites vs software packages

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Message-ID: <4F34EFA8.3040501@inshell.net>
Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:21:28 +0100
From: Info <info@...hell.net>
To: Valdis.Kletnieks@...edu
Cc: full-disclosure@...ts.grok.org.uk
Subject: Re: posting xss notifications in sites vs
 software packages

Well....in Germany...our law regarding security in general is very, very
vague.

It basically says that you have to go to prison if you produce or
publish any information
and/or tools (for so-called "hacking-purposes") in preparation for a
criminal offense.
And: if you get unauthorized access to data which is specially secured
by evading the
security mechanisms.

But The European Expert Group for IT Security says that especially the
first part does not apply if you're dealing with information and tools
in a good-natured way using e.g. a detailed reporting or documentation.
So i think it's hard to say if looking for a custom website
vulnerability (and finally not using it for bad purposes) is
illegal...at least it depends on how the judge defines "criminal
offense" and interprets your behavior.

@Valdis:
Therefor: agree :)

Regards
Julien.

On 02/09/2012 03:23 AM, Valdis.Kletnieks@...edu wrote:
> On Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:18 +0100, Info said:
>> A general question: is it legal to search for XSS vulnerabilities on
>> custom websites ?
> Yes. No. Maybe. Depends where you live, where the web server is physically
> located, and where the corporate headquarters are.  In the US, the law you
> need to worry about most is 18 USC 1030:
>
> http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00001030----000-.html
>
> "... having knowingly accessed a computer without authorization or exceeding
> authorized access, and by means of such conduct having obtained information..."
>
> It's going to come down to whether the jury believes the prosecutor's version
> or your version of what "exceeding authorized access" means - which is why
> professional pen testers make sure they get a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card, and
> negotiate rules of engagement (what's allowed, what's not) as part of the
> contract.  You amature pen testers are on your own. ;)

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