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secGeek | Jun 28 2005 9:18AM GMT
I would never put the actual LDAP in a DMZ. If you do, I would say you have a 100% chance of having any or all user information compromized within a year.
You should fromt end the LDAP with a reverse proxy server or some other product that just has the presentation layer stuff.
Peace
ItDefPat1 | Jun 28 2005 9:55AM GMT
Remember that LDAP is not a thing, it is several protocols and objects. The rev proxy is a good start. The ldap RFCs specify available authentication and security extensions. There are several strong authentication methods that you can add-on. Use what is most appropriate (e.g., 2-factor tokens or kerberos are some of the options). Also, the ldap transport protocols will accept SSL add-on. The ldap RFCs are pretty easy to read (unlike most RFCs).
What is supported by the product(s) you use is another question.
If this external ldap is a “must-do”, you should require the authority for yourself to do what you must do - get management behind your activity first. This is not as simple as dumping a copy of the repository in a DMZ. Remember, the ldap is as valuable and critical as the internal dns, if not more.
YOu might also want to suggest a less-than-public DMZ (or “extranet”) for this. As long as the number of external parties accessing is known, then you could put requirements like VPN and strong authentication at the external firewall. Your ldap and other stuff would be on this protected segment, with another firewall between it and your internal network.
PankajAnand | Jun 28 2005 5:21PM GMT
Actually the LDAP will be secured as this will be placed in shared DMZ area which will have firewalls on bith the sides. This shared DMZ will inturn service the individual/ isolated other DMZs. Also it will be slave LDAP Server with no write capabilities. It will be difficult for external users to cross these DMZs and do any hacking on LDAP Server. Also we shall enable only SSL port on that server which will further protect this.
amigus | Jun 29 2005 4:02AM GMT
Check out the replication mechanisms for your LDAP implementation to see if they offer “limited replication.” If they do you can replicate only the objects that need to be exposed on the DMZ to the DMZ system(s).