Hello,
Where have you been.
"This written permission should not be an electronic copy, at least in the UK. UK law does not recognise electronic documentation,"
I take it you have not heard of either common law privity rules and their application or more specifically the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002
Of course the UK recognised electronic documents!
I suggest that you read Lord Denning in High Trees [1]. This goes all the way back to Telex and even somewhat earlier.
In fact, ALL common law juristictions recognise electronic documents. Not having codified legislation does not mean that these are not accepted. The weight may vary, but this is to be expected.
Regards,
Craig
[1] Central London Property Trust Ltd. v. High Trees House Ltd. (1947) p. 216
Craig Wright
Manager of Information Systems
Direct : +61 2 9286 5497
Craig.Wright_at_bdo.com.au
+61 417 683 914
BDO Kendalls (NSW)
Level 19, 2 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000
GPO BOX 2551 Sydney NSW 2001
Fax +61 2 9993 9497
www.bdo.com.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation in respect of matters arising within those States and Territories of Australia where such legislation exists.
The information in this email and any attachments is confidential. If you are not the named addressee you must not read, print, copy, distribute, or use in any way this transmission or any information it contains. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender by return email, destroy all copies and delete it from your system.
Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and not necessarily endorsed by BDO Kendalls. You may not rely on this message as advice unless subsequently confirmed by fax or letter signed by a Partner or Director of BDO Kendalls. It is your responsibility to scan this communication and any files attached for computer viruses and other defects. BDO Kendalls does not accept liability for any loss or damage however caused which may result from this communication or any files attached. A full version of the BDO Kendalls disclaimer, and our Privacy statement, can be found on the BDO Kendalls website at http://www.bdo.com.au or by emailing administrator@bdo.com.au.
BDO Kendalls is a national association of separate partnerships and entities.
________________________________
From: listbounce_at_securityfocus.com on behalf of Lee Lawson
Sent: Wed 30/05/2007 6:14 PM
To: James Wilburn
Cc: pen-test_at_securityfocus.com; security-basics_at_securityfocus.com
Subject: Re: Disclosure of vulns and its legal aspects...
In terms of prior permission, you would need written permission by the
web site owners. This written permission should not be an electronic
copy, at least in the UK. UK law does not recognise electronic
documentation, such as e-mails, as a true representation of an
original document. The original document in question is the owners
handwritten signature, that makes it a real agreement.
I would personally create an anoymous email account and send them some
information stating that you are a penetration tester that 'happened'
upon a possible security flaw in their website, but because of the
state of fear that some unenlightened organisations have about this
type of situation, you wish to remain anonymous at this point. Then
explain that if they are open to increasing the security of their
website, you will gladly analyse the security flaw further and give
them full disclosure, on the basis that you will be given written
permission prior to continuing further.
2 cents - deposited.
On 5/30/07, James Wilburn <jwilburn_at_jameswilburn.com> wrote:
> With the number of horror stories about disclosing vulnerabilities to large
> companies, I would tread lightly. If it was a small company or personal
> website they would probably thank you, this is not the case with the larger
> companies.
>
> As far as legality, I don't know. But I was always thought "testing some
> websites as a personal research/leisure" without the owners permission can
> land you in a world of hurt if they have a legal team.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: listbounce_at_securityfocus.com [mailto:listbounce_at_securityfocus.com] On
> Behalf Of Dark Cold Ice
> Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 5:12 PM
> To: pen-test_at_securityfocus.com; security-basics_at_securityfocus.com
> Subject: Disclosure of vulns and its legal aspects...
>
> Hi all,
>
> It was earlier today whilst testing some websites as a personal
> research/leisure time that i found a quite critical bug in a major
> computer related website which will not be disclosured until all the
> legal aspects of the disclosure process itself are dealt with.
> After detecting the aforementioned vulnerability i was, like many have
> been before, "jailed" between the decisions of reporting it or not, it
> didn't take me long to decide to report it to the vendor as the flaw
> itself was on it's website... My first step and only one so far was to
> write the vendor the typical "praxis" e-mail saying that there MIGHT
> be a vulnerability SOMEWHERE on their website and that i would like
> carte blanche to investigate a bit more about it. I am now stuck with
> 3 thoughts, first of all, if the answer is no ( most common perhaps)
> the vendor will be losing its chance to know where and what flaw is
> it... will i be stuck with that and not be able to publicize it to the
> security community?
> Second thought, if the vendor says yes, i will report them the
> vulnerability but, what entitles me the right to do it legally... a
> simple e-mail would be enough perhaps...
> Third and last thought, if they indeed agree to give me the chance to
> test and report them the vulnerability i will only be entitled to
> publicize it once solved, but even then, will it be legal to make a
> full disclosure?
>
> Thank you all in advance,
>
> Darkcoldice
>
> PS: What would the difference be between the US and UK laws on that
> final aspect?
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> This List Sponsored by: Cenzic
>
> Are you using SPI, Watchfire or WhiteHat?
> Consider getting clear vision with Cenzic
> See HOW Now with our 20/20 program!
>
> http://www.cenzic.com/c/2020
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> This List Sponsored by: Cenzic
>
> Are you using SPI, Watchfire or WhiteHat?
> Consider getting clear vision with Cenzic
> See HOW Now with our 20/20 program!
>
> http://www.cenzic.com/c/2020
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
--
Lee J Lawson
leejlawson_at_gmail.com
"Give a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day; set a man on fire,
and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
"Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur."
Received on May 30 2007
Intro
