Opened 10 years ago

Last modified 10 years ago

#1374 new Defect

BOINC should push projects to use HTTPS for better security

Reported by: bryanquigley Owned by: davea
Priority: Undetermined Milestone: Undetermined
Component: Web - Other Version: 7.4.36
Keywords: ssl, https, security Cc:

Description

Right now all downloads happen over HTTP and AFAICT the only protection is code signing and the sandbox. HTTPS projects would have another layer protecting against MITM attacks.

Code signing won't protect against tampering with the data and/or results back to the project. Tampering with the data as it goes to the client could lead to an exploit.

In all I'm just asking if BOINC can change to explicitly recommend using HTTPS for the project website and project URL.

Change History (4)

comment:1 Changed 10 years ago by bryanquigley

I would be happy to help with work to make the BOINC website more secure to lead by example.

comment:2 Changed 10 years ago by Ageless

Component: UndeterminedWeb - Other
Owner: set to davea

comment:3 Changed 10 years ago by Nicolas

Using HTTPS for the scheduler requests would be enough, as it would protect the MD5 hashes sent by the server. There's no need to use HTTPS for the downloads themselves too.

comment:4 Changed 10 years ago by bryanquigley

If it was just an md5sum it wouldn't be enough given exploits against it.. I believe if you check the size though it might be (for now).

Opened a new ticket for supporting sha256 (https://boinc.berkeley.edu/trac/ticket/1375)

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