"Nimda"?

From: Bradley, Tony (tony.bradleyat_private)
Date: Tue Feb 26 2002 - 16:51:16 PST

  • Next message: security: "Re: Wave of Nimda-like hits this morning?"

    Not to start a Microsoft vs. Open Source debate regarding security, but for
    me personally my Microsoft systems are more secure simply because I am more
    familiar with the operating system(s) and the software and I have more
    security experience on that platform.
    
    I recently built a Redhat Linux 7.0 server to use as a web server. I am
    quite sure it is entirely insecure because I barely know enough to get
    around in Linux, much less how to configure and secure it. I installed
    Apache web server and after much trial and error at least got my sites to
    work and got the CGI scripts to work. 
    
    However, I have noticed in my logs that I have about 1000 "Nimda"-like hits
    a day. I have cut & paste a portion of my log below. 
    
    [26/Feb/2002:18:37:19 -0500] "GET
    /scripts/..%c1%1c../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir HTTP/1.0" 404 310
    [26/Feb/2002:18:37:19 -0500] "GET
    /scripts/..%c0%2f../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir HTTP/1.0" 404 310
    [26/Feb/2002:18:37:20 -0500] "GET
    /scripts/..%c0%af../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir HTTP/1.0" 404 310
    [26/Feb/2002:18:37:20 -0500] "GET
    /scripts/..%c1%9c../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir HTTP/1.0" 404 310
    [26/Feb/2002:18:37:20 -0500] "GET
    /scripts/..%%35%63../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir HTTP/1.0" 400 294
    [26/Feb/2002:18:37:20 -0500] "GET
    /scripts/..%%35c../winnt/system32/cmd.exe?/c+dir HTTP/1.0" 400 294
    
    First of all, since these hits are trying to access Windows directories do
    they pose any threat to my Linux machine? Second of all, is there any way
    for me to block these types of hits from my server?
    
    If anyone can recommend a good book or resource for hardening my Linux
    server and / or any good IDS, antivirus and other such security tools that
    would be appreciated as well.
    
    Thanks-
    
    Tony Bradley, MCSE, MCSA, MCP, A+
    Threat & Vulnerability Monitor
    EDS GM Global Information Protection Programme
    Electronic Data Systems
    
    "We find comfort among those who agree with us-growth among those who
    don't."  ~ Frank A. Clark ~
    
      
    
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