Information Security News: Source code leak linked to Microsoft partner

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0213mainsoft.html

By John Fontana
Network World Fusion
02/13/04

The Windows 2000 source code that was leaked to the Internet 
originated from a Microsoft partner and not the software giant itself, 
according to the BetaNews.com Web site. 

In addition, the NTBugtraq Web site is reporting that the Windows NT 
code leak includes all of NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 and its more than 
27,000 files. The code does not include Internet Information Server. 

BetaNews, a Windows-focused Web site, reported that the Windows 2000 
code in the leaked archive was licensed to Mainsoft, which develops 
tools that allow developers to port Windows applications to Unix. In 
an ironic twist, the code, which was for Windows 2000 Service Pack 1, 
allegedly was removed from a Linux computer used by Mainsoft for 
development, according to the story. 

"All the NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 code is out there now," says Russ 
Cooper moderator of the NTBugtraq Web site and surgeon general for 
security firm TruSecure. But he does not think that it represents a 
monumental security risk. 

"People have been hammering on NT, and I don't think the source codes 
means that people will find more vulnerabilities. There are 27,000 
files. Where do you start and what year do you plan to finish? And it 
is SP3, not 6a," says Cooper. 

In fact, Cooper says the source code leaks don't represent any 
significant new risk. He says his only concern might be the PKI module 
that was leaked in the Windows 2000 code. "There, people may find more 
ways to break the trust model," he says. 

Cooper says network administrators should be "as vigilant as you've 
always been; this is not a new risk you have to address."

A Microsoft spokesperson would not comment on the BetaNews report on 
Mainsoft because Microsoft is conducting an ongoing investigation. The 
investigation includes the FBI. She says partner Mainsoft is not a 
part of the Shared Source Initiative, which makes portions of source 
code available to customers, partners and governments. 

"It is important to note that this leak is not a result of a breach in 
Microsoft's network, security or Shared Source Initiative," says Stacy 
Drake, a Microsoft corporate public relations manager. 

Mainsoft officials say they are cooperating fully with Microsoft and 
all authorities in the investigation, but would not confirm if the 
code leak was linked to them or if they are a member of the Shared 
Source Initiative. 

"We are unable to issue any further statement or answer questions 
until we have more information," says Mike Gullard, Mainsoft chairman. 
"Mainsoft takes Microsoft's and all our customers' security matters 
seriously, and we recognize the gravity of the situation." 

Mainsoft on its Web site says it has had a strategic partnership with 
Microsoft since 1994 and has unparalleled access to Windows source 
code. 

BetaNews reported that it is not known how the 30,195 files escaped 
Mainsoft, which uses the code for its Visual MainWin product.

NTBugtraq's Cooper confirms that there are three references to 
Mainsoft as the licensee in the leaked Windows 2000 code, but said 
there is a possibility that someone could have maliciously inserted 
the Mainsoft reference in place of the name of the original licensee. 
Cooper says there are no references to Mainsoft in the Windows NT 4.0 
code. 

Mainsoft has more than 1.4 million licenses of its software, including 
Microsoft, Siebel Systems, Computer Associates and IBM/Rational 
Software. 

BetaNews.com reported that the Windows 2000 code represented only 
select portions of the Windows source code, which will likely limit 
the damage that could be done by hackers who gain access to the code. 

Microsoft on Thursday confirmed that some of its secret source code 
for Windows NT and 2000 had been leaked on the Internet, but the 
company downplayed the potential security concerns that the code will 
provide hackers a wide-open avenue to search for and exploit 
vulnerabilities. Microsoft said the leak represents some 15% of 
Windows source code. 



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