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Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 00:11:35 -0700
Message-ID: <66baf7b90905200011i465a3181g6158c37cacc68cb9@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Security Concern: setup.exe signature difficult to verify
From: Doug Bateman <doug AT dougbateman DOT net>
To: cygwin AT cygwin DOT com
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Greg Chicares Wrote:
> Here's a native msw binary:
>  ftp://ftp.gnupg.org/gcrypt/binary/gnupg-w32cli-1.4.9.exe

Thanks for the response Greg.  This still raises 2 concerns:
1) If this method is the official cygwin authenticity verification
procedure, it should be well documented on the website, as the process
is non-trivial.
2) The gnupg-w32cli-1.4.9.exe itself also isn't signed.  So we still
have the bootstrapping problem.

Bottom line, the install procedure is still insecure and vulnerable to
attack until a pervasive authentication mechanism is used (either
signed windows executable or SSL download with a verifiable cert).
With organized and highly sophisticated attackers becoming even more
wide spread (often backed by organized crime or other well funded
agencies), security is important, especially for a project as
prestigious and important as Cygwin.

Of course, I'll mention this to the gnupg.org people too, as they have
the same problem.

Thanks for the response.

Best Regards,
Doug

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