NTFS Alternate Data Streams

From: Aleph One (aleph1at_private)
Date: Fri Mar 20 1998 - 09:44:01 PST

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    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 12:09:13 +0000
    From: Charles White <charliewat_private>
    Reply-To: c.whiteat_private
    To: NTBUGTRAQat_private
    Subject: NTFS Alternate Data Streams
    
    NTFS Alternate Data Streams
    ---------------------------
    
    The existence of NTFS Alternate Data Streams and their potential for
    misuse has recently been publicised in various NT related newsgroups and
    mailing lists.  These streams can be used to hide the existence of data of
    any size and type (eg confidential data, pornographic images, etc) which
    may be damaging to your organization.
    
    Legitimate uses of streams have also been included in recent editions of
    some UK PC magazines.
    
    The current problem with streams is that many Windows NT users (including
    administrators) are not aware that streams exist and even if they know of
    them have no simply method of detecting them. Microsoft does not provide
    tools for reporting what streams exist !
    
    MARCH Information Systems has developed a command line utility which
    solves the problem of hidden data by checking a machine for the
    existence of non-default streams (a 'data' and 'security descriptor'
    stream exists on every NTFS file and directory).  The utility searches an
    NTFS disc locating and reporting the size and, more importantly, the name
    of every alternate data stream detected.  If desired it will even report
    the sizes of the standard streams.
    
    The FREE utility, together with a paper giving further details of the
    threats posed by streams, can be download from
    
            http://www.march.co.uk
    
    Regards,
    
    Charles White                           |  Tel:   +44 (0)118 930 4224
    March Information Systems Ltd.,         |  Fax:   +44 (0)118 930 5802
    14 Brewery Court, High Street, Theale,  |
    Berkshire, England, RG7 5AJ             |  Email: c.whiteat_private
     <Security Manager & EventLog Manager - NT & UNIX Security solutions>
    



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