Security

How to install PHP 7.2.latest on Ubuntu 16.04

November 17, 2018 by Simon

How to install PHP 7.2.latest on Ubuntu 16.04/ Ubuntu 18.04/Debian etc/

I have a number of guides on moving away from CPanel, Setting up VM’s on UpCloud, AWS, Vultr or Digital Ocean along with installing and managing WordPress from the command line. PHP is my programming language of choice.

PHP has a support page that declares the support date ranges and support types: http://php.net/supported-versions.php

A version of PHP is either actively supported, security fix supported or end of life. Read this post to check WordPress for PHP compatibility.

From time to time vulnerabilities come up that require PHP updates to be applied.

Multiple flaw found in #PHP, most severe of which could allow arbitrary code execution
Affected Versions:
PHP 7.2 —prior to 7.2.5
PHP 7.1 —prior to 7.1.17
PHP 7.0 —prior to 7.0.30
PHP 5.0 —prior to 5.6.36https://t.co/TtiqXePoHu
Upgrade to the latest version of PHP immediately
— The Hacker News (@TheHackersNews) May 1, 2018

#PHP 7.2.12 has been released https://t.co/iNXGYTs0PX
— Neustradamus (@neustradamus) November 9, 2018

Source Link here

I have guides on setting up PHP 7 here on Digital Ocean, here on AWS and here on Vultr. I have tried upgrading to PHP 7.1 in the past with no luck (I forgot to change something and rolled back to 7.0).

FYI: I have a guide on setting up PHP child workers so the output from some commands below may be different than yours. Here are the steps I performed to install PHP 7.2 alongside 7.0 then switch. to 7.2.

Backup your system

Do perform a Snapshot or Backup before proceeding. Nothing beats a quick restore if things fail.

Note: Use this information at your own risk.

Updating php 7.2.12 to 7.2.12

Update your Ubuntu systems

apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

1	apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

Updating from an older php (e.g 5.x, 7.1, 7.1 to say 7.2.12)

Backup PHP

cd /etc/php
zip -r php7.0backup.zip 7.0/

1 2	cd /etc/php zip -r php7.0backup.zip 7.0/

Install Helper

This software provides an abstraction of the used apt repositories. It allows you to easily manage your distribution and independent software vendor software sources. More Info

apt-get install python-software-properties

1	apt-get install python-software-properties

Add the main PHP repo (more information)

add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

1	add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

Update the package lists

“In a nutshell, apt-get update doesn’t actually install new versions of the software. Instead, it updates the package lists for upgrades for packages that need upgrading, as well as new packages that have just come to the repositories.” from here

apt-get update

1	apt-get update

List Installed Packages (optional)

dpkg -l

dpkg -l

Install PHP 7.2

apt-get install php7.2

1	apt-get install php7.2

Install common PHP modules

apt-get install php-pear php7.2-curl php7.2-dev php7.2-mbstring php7.2-zip php7.2-mysql php7.2-xml

1	apt-get install php-pear php7.2-curl php7.2-dev php7.2-mbstring php7.2-zip php7.2-mysql php7.2-xml

Install PHP FPM

apt-get install php7.2-fpm

1	apt-get install php7.2-fpm

Update all packages (may be needed to update from php 7.2.4 to 7.2.5)

sudo apt-get upgrade

1	sudo apt-get upgrade

Edit your NGINX sites-available config

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default
# I set: fastcgi_pass /run/php/php7.2-fpm.sock;

1 2	sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default # I set: fastcgi_pass /run/php/php7.2-fpm.sock;

Edit your NGINX sites-enabled config

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default
# I set: fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php7.2-fpm.sock;

1 2	sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default # I set: fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php7.2-fpm.sock;

I edited these lines

location ~ \.php$ {
    ...
    fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php7.2-fpm.sock;
    ...
}

location ~ \.php$ {

...

fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php/php7.2-fpm.sock;

...

}

Edit your PHP config (and make desired changes)

sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/fpm/php.ini

1	sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/fpm/php.ini

Edit your PHP pool config file (as required). See this guide here.

e.g.

> cgi.fix_pathinfo=0
> max_input_vars = 1000
> memory_limit = 1024M
> max_file_uploads = 8M
> post_max_size = 8M

sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/fpm/pool.d/www.conf

1	sudo nano /etc/php/7.2/fpm/pool.d/www.conf

Make sure you set: listen = /run/php/php7.2-fpm.sock

Set PHP 7.2 as the default PHP

update-alternatives --set php /usr/bin/php7.2

1	update-alternatives --set php /usr/bin/php7.2

Check your PHP version

php -v

php -v

Reload PHP

sudo service php7.2-fpm reload

1	sudo service php7.2-fpm reload

Reload NGINX

nginx -t
nginx -s reload
/etc/init.d/nginx restart

nginx -t

nginx -s reload

/etc/init.d/nginx restart

Check the status of your PHP (and child workers)

sudo service php7.2-fpm status
● php7.2-fpm.service - The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager
   Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/php7.2-fpm.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
   Active: active (running) since Fri 2018-05-04 19:02:27 AEST;
     Docs: man:php-fpm7.2(8)
  Process: 123456 ExecReload=/bin/kill -USR2 $MAINPID (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
 Main PID: 123456 (php-fpm7.2)
   Status: "Processes active: 0, idle: 10, Requests: 0, slow: 0, Traffic: 0req/sec"
    Tasks: 11
   Memory: 30.5M
      CPU: 10.678s
   CGroup: /system.slice/php7.2-fpm.service
           ├─16494 php-fpm: master process (/etc/php/7.2/fpm/php-fpm.conf)
           ├─16497 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16498 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16499 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16500 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16501 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16502 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16503 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16504 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─16505 php-fpm: pool www
           └─16506 php-fpm: pool www

sudo service php7.2-fpm status

● php7.2-fpm.service - The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager

Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/php7.2-fpm.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)

Active: active (running) since Fri 2018-05-04 19:02:27 AEST;

Docs: man:php-fpm7.2(8)

Process: 123456 ExecReload=/bin/kill -USR2 $MAINPID (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)

Main PID: 123456 (php-fpm7.2)

Status: "Processes active: 0, idle: 10, Requests: 0, slow: 0, Traffic: 0req/sec"

Tasks: 11

Memory: 30.5M

CPU: 10.678s

CGroup: /system.slice/php7.2-fpm.service

├─16494 php-fpm: master process (/etc/php/7.2/fpm/php-fpm.conf)

├─16497 php-fpm: pool www

├─16498 php-fpm: pool www

├─16499 php-fpm: pool www

├─16500 php-fpm: pool www

├─16501 php-fpm: pool www

├─16502 php-fpm: pool www

├─16503 php-fpm: pool www

├─16504 php-fpm: pool www

├─16505 php-fpm: pool www

└─16506 php-fpm: pool www

Check your website.

Troubleshooting

Guides that helped me.

https://thishosting.rocks/install-php-on-ubuntu/

https://websiteforstudents.com/wordpress-supports-php-7-2-heres-how-to-install-with-nginx-and-mariadb-support/

Check your log files

tail /var/log/nginx/error.log

1	tail /var/log/nginx/error.log

Debug FPM Service

systemctl status php7.2-fpm.service
● php7.2-fpm.service - The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager
   Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/php7.2-fpm.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
   Active: active (running) since Sun 2018-05-06 00:18:55 AEST; 7min ago
     Docs: man:php-fpm7.2(8)
  Process: 123456 ExecReload=/bin/kill -USR2 $MAINPID (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
 Main PID: 123 (php-fpm7.2)
   Status: "Processes active: 0, idle: 10, Requests: 44, slow: 0, Traffic: 0req/sec"
    Tasks: 11
   Memory: 212.6M
      CPU: 12.052s
   CGroup: /system.slice/php7.2-fpm.service
           ├─438 php-fpm: master process (/etc/php/7.2/fpm/php-fpm.conf)
           ├─441 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─442 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─443 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─444 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─445 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─446 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─447 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─449 php-fpm: pool www
           ├─450 php-fpm: pool www
           └─451 php-fpm: pool www

May 06 00:18:55 server systemd[1]: Stopped The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager.
May 06 00:18:55 server systemd[1]: Starting The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager...
May 06 00:18:55 server systemd[1]: Started The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager.

systemctl status php7.2-fpm.service

● php7.2-fpm.service - The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager

Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/php7.2-fpm.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)

Active: active (running) since Sun 2018-05-06 00:18:55 AEST; 7min ago

Docs: man:php-fpm7.2(8)

Process: 123456 ExecReload=/bin/kill -USR2 $MAINPID (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)

Main PID: 123 (php-fpm7.2)

Status: "Processes active: 0, idle: 10, Requests: 44, slow: 0, Traffic: 0req/sec"

Tasks: 11

Memory: 212.6M

CPU: 12.052s

CGroup: /system.slice/php7.2-fpm.service

├─438 php-fpm: master process (/etc/php/7.2/fpm/php-fpm.conf)

├─441 php-fpm: pool www

├─442 php-fpm: pool www

├─443 php-fpm: pool www

├─444 php-fpm: pool www

├─445 php-fpm: pool www

├─446 php-fpm: pool www

├─447 php-fpm: pool www

├─449 php-fpm: pool www

├─450 php-fpm: pool www

└─451 php-fpm: pool www

May 06 00:18:55 server systemd[1]: Stopped The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager.

May 06 00:18:55 server systemd[1]: Starting The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager...

May 06 00:18:55 server systemd[1]: Started The PHP 7.2 FastCGI Process Manager.

Remove PHP 7.0

sudo apt-get purge php7.0-common
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libaspell15 libauthen-pam-perl libc-client2007e libio-pty-perl libmcrypt4 librecode0 libtidy-0.99-0 libxmlrpc-epi0 linux-headers-4.4.0-109
  linux-headers-4.4.0-109-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-112 linux-headers-4.4.0-112-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-87
  linux-headers-4.4.0-87-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-96 linux-headers-4.4.0-96-generic linux-image-4.4.0-109-generic
  linux-image-4.4.0-112-generic linux-image-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-4.4.0-96-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-109-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.4.0-112-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-96-generic mlock
Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  php7.0-cli* php7.0-common* php7.0-curl* php7.0-fpm* php7.0-gd* php7.0-imap* php7.0-intl* php7.0-json* php7.0-mbstring* php7.0-mcrypt*
  php7.0-mysql* php7.0-opcache* php7.0-pspell* php7.0-readline* php7.0-recode* php7.0-sqlite3* php7.0-tidy* php7.0-xml* php7.0-xmlrpc*
  php7.0-xsl*

sudo apt-get purge php7.0-common

Reading package lists... Done

Building dependency tree

Reading state information... Done

The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:

libaspell15 libauthen-pam-perl libc-client2007e libio-pty-perl libmcrypt4 librecode0 libtidy-0.99-0 libxmlrpc-epi0 linux-headers-4.4.0-109

linux-headers-4.4.0-109-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-112 linux-headers-4.4.0-112-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-87

linux-headers-4.4.0-87-generic linux-headers-4.4.0-96 linux-headers-4.4.0-96-generic linux-image-4.4.0-109-generic

linux-image-4.4.0-112-generic linux-image-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-4.4.0-96-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-109-generic

linux-image-extra-4.4.0-112-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-87-generic linux-image-extra-4.4.0-96-generic mlock

Use 'sudo apt autoremove' to remove them.

The following packages will be REMOVED:

php7.0-cli* php7.0-common* php7.0-curl* php7.0-fpm* php7.0-gd* php7.0-imap* php7.0-intl* php7.0-json* php7.0-mbstring* php7.0-mcrypt*

php7.0-mysql* php7.0-opcache* php7.0-pspell* php7.0-readline* php7.0-recode* php7.0-sqlite3* php7.0-tidy* php7.0-xml* php7.0-xmlrpc*

php7.0-xsl*

PHP 7.0 Removed 🙂

Remove other unused packages

sudo apt autoremove

1	sudo apt autoremove

At the time of writing (November the 18th 2018) PHP 7.2.12 is the latest version of PHP and PHP 7.3 will be out at the end of the year.

Good luck and I hope this guide helps someone

Ask a question or recommend an article

Revision History

v1.4 Updated the post to mention PHP 7.0 EOL

v1.3 Updated to add PHP 7.2.12 information

v1.2 PHP 7.2.9 and PHP 7.2 updates

v1.1 Remove PHP 7.0 steps

v1.0 Initial post

Add two factor auth login protection to WordPress with YubiCo hardware YubiKeys and or 2FA Authenticator App

October 28, 2018 by Simon

Here is a quick guide to show you how to add two-factor auth login protection to WordPress with YubiCo hardware YubiKeys and or 2FA authenticator app

Setup two factor authenticator protection at login on Ubuntu or Debian

October 14, 2018 by Simon

This is a quick post that shows how I set up two-factor authenticator protection at login on Ubuntu or Debian

Aside

If you have not read my previous posts I have now moved my blog to the awesome UpCloud host (signup using this link to get $25 free UpCloud VM credit). I compared Digital Ocean, Vultr and UpCloud Disk IO here and UpCloud came out on top by a long way (read the blog post here). Here is my blog post on moving from Vultr to UpCloud.

Buy a domain name here

Now on with the post.

Backup

I ensured I had a backup of my server. This is easy to do on UpCloud. If something goes wrong I will rollback.

Why Setup 2FA on SSH connections

1) Firewalls or whitelists may not protect you from detection.

2) SSH authorisation bypass bugs may appear.

I’ve just relased libssh 0.8.4 and 0.7.6 to address CVE-2018-10933. This is an auth bypass in the server. Please update as soon as possible! https://t.co/Qhra2TXqzm
— Andreas Schneider (@cryptomilk) October 16, 2018

2FA authorisation is another lube of defence.

Yubico Yubi Key

Read my block post here to learn how to use the Yubico YubiKey NEO hardware-based two-factor authentication device to improve authentication and logins to OSX and software

Timezone

It is important that you set the same timezone as the server you are trying to secure two 2FA. I can run this command on Linux to set the timezone.

dpkg-reconfigure tzdata

1	dpkg-reconfigure tzdata

Check the time command

sudo hwclock --show

1	sudo hwclock --show

Output

2018-10-14 20:34:02.994867+1100

Install Google Authenticator

sudo apt install libpam-google-authenticator

1	sudo apt install libpam-google-authenticator

Output

> Reading package lists…
> Building dependency tree
> Reading state information… Done
> The following additional packages will be installed:
> libqrencode3
> The following NEW packages will be installed:
> libpam-google-authenticator libqrencode3
> 0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 11 not upgraded.
> Need to get 56.8 kB of archives.
> After this operation, 183 kB of additional disk space will be used.
> Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
> Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic/universe amd64 libqrencode3 amd64 3.4.4-1build1 [23.9 kB]
> Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu bionic/universe amd64 libpam-google-authenticator amd64 20170702-1 [32.9 kB]
> Fetched 56.8 kB in 0s (426 kB/s)
> Selecting previously unselected package libqrencode3:amd64.
> (Reading database … 122554 files and directories currently installed.)
> Preparing to unpack …/libqrencode3_3.4.4-1build1_amd64.deb …
> Unpacking libqrencode3:amd64 (3.4.4-1build1) …
> Selecting previously unselected package libpam-google-authenticator.
> Preparing to unpack …/libpam-google-authenticator_20170702-1_amd64.deb …
> Unpacking libpam-google-authenticator (20170702-1) …
> Setting up libqrencode3:amd64 (3.4.4-1build1) …
> Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.27-3ubuntu1) …
> Processing triggers for man-db (2.8.3-2) …
> Setting up libpam-google-authenticator (20170702-1) …

Configure Google Authenticator

Run google-authenticator and answer the following questions

Q1) Do you want authentication tokens to be time-based (y/n): Y

You will be presented with a token you can add to the Yubico Authenticator or other authenticator apps,

TIP: Write down any recovery codes displayed

Scan the code with your 2FA Authenticator app (e.g Google Authenticator, Yubico Authenticator or freeOTP from https://freeotp.github.io)

The 2FA code is now available for use in my YubiCo Authenticator app

Q2) Do you want me to update your “/root/.google_authenticator” file? (y/n): Y

Q3) Do you want to disallow multiple uses of the same authentication
token? This restricts you to one login about every 30s, but it increases
your chances to notice or even prevent man-in-the-middle attacks (y/n): Y

Q4) By default, a new token is generated every 30 seconds by the mobile app.
In order to compensate for possible time-skew between the client and the server,
we allow an extra token before and after the current time. This allows for a
time skew of up to 30 seconds between authentication server and client. If you
experience problems with poor time synchronization, you can increase the window
from its default size of 3 permitted codes (one previous code, the current
code, the next code) to 17 permitted codes (the 8 previous codes, the current
code, and the 8 next codes). This will permit for a time skew of up to 4 minutes
between client and server.
Do you want to do so? (y/n) y: Y

Q5) If the computer that you are logging into isn’t hardened against brute-force login attempts, you can enable rate-limiting for the authentication module. By default, this limits attackers to no more than 3 login attempts every 30s.
Do you want to enable rate-limiting? (y/n): Y

Review Google Authenticator Config

sudo nano ~/.google_authenticator

1	sudo nano ~/.google_authenticator

You can change this if need be.

Edit SSH Configuration (Authentication)

sudo nano /etc/pam.d/sshd

1	sudo nano /etc/pam.d/sshd

Add the line below the line “@include common-auth”

auth required pam_google_authenticator.so

1	auth required pam_google_authenticator.so

Comment out the following line (this is the most important step, this forces 2FA)

#@include common-auth

1	#@include common-auth

Edit SSH Configuration (Challenge Response Authentication)

Edit the ssh config file.

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

1	sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Search For

ChallengeResponseAuthentication

1	ChallengeResponseAuthentication

Set this to

yes

yes

Ensure the following line exists

UsePAM yes

1	UsePAM yes

Add the following line

AuthenticationMethods publickey,password publickey,keyboard-interactive

1	AuthenticationMethods publickey,password publickey,keyboard-interactive

Edit Common Auth

sudo nano /etc/pam.d/common-auth

1	sudo nano /etc/pam.d/common-auth

Add the following line before the line that says “auth [success=1 default=ignore] pam_unix.so nullok_secure”

auth required pam_google_authenticator.so

1	auth required pam_google_authenticator.so

Restart the SSH service and test the codes in a new terminal before rebooting.

TIP: Do not exit the working connected session and you may need it to fix issues.

Restart the SSH service a tets it

/etc/init.d/ssh restart
[ ok ] Restarting ssh (via systemctl): ssh.service.

1 2	/etc/init.d/ssh restart [ ok ] Restarting ssh (via systemctl): ssh.service.

If you have failed to set it up authenticator codes will fail to work.

Failed attempts

Further authentication required
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Verification code:
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Verification code:
Using keyboard-interactive authentication.
Verification code:

Further authentication required

Using keyboard-interactive authentication.

Verification code:

Using keyboard-interactive authentication.

Verification code:

Using keyboard-interactive authentication.

Verification code:

When it is configured OK (at login SSH connection) I was prompted for further information

Further Information required
Using keyboard-interactive authentication
Verification Code: ######
sshuser@server#

Further Information required

Using keyboard-interactive authentication

Verification Code: ######

sshuser@server#

I am now prompted at login to insert a 2FA token (after inserting my YubiKey)

Turn on 2FA on other sites

Check out https://www.turnon2fa.com and tutorials here.

I hope this guide helps someone.

Please consider using my referral code and get $25 UpCloud VM credit if you need to create a server online.

https://www.upcloud.com/register/?promo=D84793

Ask a question or recommend an article

Revision History

V1.3 turnon2fa.com

V1.2 ssh auth bypass

v1.1 Authenticator apps

v1.0 Initial Post

Using the Yubico YubiKey NEO hardware-based two-factor authentication device to improve authentication and logins to OSX and software

October 4, 2018 by Simon

This post aims to show you how you can use a Yubico YubiKey NEO hardware-based two-factor authentication device to improve authentication and logins to OSX and other software and services.

Background

Although I am a developer I do like security related topics and I try and do as much as I can to secure my systems and applications. Reading the Multi-Factor Authentication Wikipedia page has all the details on Multi-Factor authentication.

I have been a big fan of 1Password to generate strong and unique passwords for separate accounts for a while now. Read my guide on upgrading from a standalone 1Password licence to a 1Password subscription. I love generating unique and complex passwords with 1Password.

But what happens if someone gets access to my 1password vault? Yubico has a catalogue of support services that I can use Yubikeys with to have, 1password is one supported service 🙂

I want to add Yubico protections with these services.

macOS Logins (DONE)
macOS Screensavers (DONE)
1Password (DONE)
Dropbox (DONE)
Twitter (DONE)
Google (DONE)
Google GSuite (DONE, WAITING TO VERIFY)
Google GMail (DONE)
Google Analytics and AdSense (DONE)
Github (DONE)
Thunderbird Email (DONE)
Debian servers in the cloud (SSH) (DONE)
Ubuntu servers in the cloud (SSH) (DONE)
Securing WordPress (DONE)

Etc

Final Warning

Do not attempt to activate Two Factor Authentication on a system unless you…

A) Have backups of your data
B) Have backup methods of getting into your account(s)

Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”

You never know when a Two Factor Authentication Key may die or an Authenticator app or a Mac/PC may stop working so always have a backup method just in case.

General

General Yubico YubiKey Setup guides https://www.yubico.com/setup/

Buying a Yubico YubiKey

International visitors can buy a YubiKey from the official store here. Australian readers can buy a key locally here. I grabbed 2x YubiKey YubiKey Neo 4 (with NFC) for $50 USD (about $75 AUD) each.

This blog post will aim to show how you can set up a primary key and backup key for use on macOS and other apps to add hardware-based two-factor authentication to logins.

Authenticator Apps

You can use Google Authenticator, Yubico Authenticator or freeOTP from https://freeotp.github.io

Plugging the YubiKey into macOS Mojave

First I read this guide: https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/macos/

1) I plugged in my Yubico Neo key into my USB slot.
2) I closed the Keyboard setup window that appeared (I guess the YubiKey is a kind of a keyboard to allow inserting of challenge-response character streams into apps and websites).

3) I followed the basic troubleshooting page and confirmed that the key was being detected (yes it was.)

4) I followed this guide to test U2F functionality and this guide to test OTP functionality. Web pages and Google Chome can talk to the plugged-in YubiKey(s).

I was prompted to register a UTF deice (and create an account)

I was prompted to (insert) and touch my Yubico key.

Google Chome asked for some permissions first.

FYI: Chrome 67 is recommended to securely allow the reading of UbiKey’s from web pages. Only allow sites you trust access to your USB devices and use a modern browser.

Success, Chrome could now see my YubiKey and my device was now verified.

Technical data is available to let you know what is going on in the background. I am not going to break down how this works but Yubico has in-depth whitepapers and documentation if you are interested.

Nice

Configuring OSX

I logged into my Mac with the account that I was going to secure.

I performed a complete time machine backup before proceeding. If you lock yourself out you will need to restore OSX from a Time Machine backup.

I Read the “Using Yubico Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) with Challenge-Response” login guide: https://www.yubico.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/yubico_YubiKeyMacLoginGuide_en.pdf

I downloaded the Download the YubiKey Manager

I downloaded the yubikey-manager from here so I could configure the keys to use “HMAC-SHA1 Challenge-Response”.

Oops, I downloaded the wrong tool, good to know this one exists though.

I will update what this tool does in future (update firmware?)

I Downloaded the Yubikey Personalization Tool

I went back to the Yubico download page and downloaded the Personalization tool.

Many options are available here.

It’s time to configure a primary and backup (duplicate YubiKey) for use with macOS etc.

Enable Challenge Response

I opened the YubiKey Personalization Tool, Inserted my primary key, clicked the Settings tab, and in the Logging Settings group, selected Log configuration output and Yubico format.

I then clicked on the Challenge Response Tab, clicked the HMAC-SHA1 button, selected Configuration Slot 2, ticked “Program Multiple YubiKeys“, changed the “Parameter Generation Scheme = Same for all Keys“, Selected “Fixed 64 byte input” under “HMAC-SHA1 Parameters” and generated a new key (wrote it down).

Under “Configuration Protection” then I selected Enable Protection” I then visited here and generated a 6 digit string to convert to hex array (with spaces (e.g: “70 61 73 73 77 64”)).

Warning: If you set an access code and later forget it, you cannot make any programming changes to this YubiKey. You would need to buy another YubiKey.

I clicked on Write Configuration

If you chose Configuration Slot 1 you will receive a warning about not saving over Configuration Slot 1 due to Yubico VIP/Symantec, I personally do not trust Symantec or the https://vip.symantec.com/ service due to Symantec issuing non-compliant certificates for use on websites. Yubico allows you to swap configuration slots if want to keep the configuration data.

On the output of the first write, I was prompted to save a file. I saved this to “secretkey.csv” onto the Desktop.

When the write to my primary key was successful, I ejected it then inserted my backup key and wrote the same configuration data to it too (on Configuration Slot 2).

Testing the HMAX-SHA1 Challenge

I open the YubiKey Personalization Tool, then click the Tools tab and click Challenge Response. Choose Configuration Slot 2, I selected HMAC-SHA1. I typed a sample input challenge (e.g “hello world”) and clicked Perform.

I noticed the Yubico key touch panel was flashing. I pressed the button, then a response appeared below the input textbox. I copied this response text then insert your second key and perform the same test so I could compare the responses (they should be the same). They were.

If the responses don’t match rewrite the configuration to your primary and secondary keys and ensure the same key and secret was used for both keys.

FYI: I rewrote configuration a few times until I got it right.

Installing the Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) on macOS

I re-read the Mac login guide here as I don’t want to lock myself out of my Mac.

I opened the Yubico Software Download page here and clicked Computer Login Tools and downloaded the PAM for Mac.

I installed the PAM package and verified the package installation with this command.

ls -al /usr/local/lib/security

1	ls -al /usr/local/lib/security

Output:

Text Output:

> drwxr-xr-x 3 root wheel 96 9 Oct 10:29 .

> drwxrwxr-x 74 simon admin 2368 9 Oct 10:29 ..

> -rwxr-xr-x 1 root wheel 143172 20 Apr 21:13 pam_yubico.so

Backup macOS

Again I ensured my Mac was backed up with Time Machine.

I logged in to my Mac with the account I wanted to be protected with the Yubico YubiKeys.

I ran the following command in terminal

mkdir –m0700 –p ~/.yubico

1	mkdir –m0700 –p ~/.yubico

I double checked that my Yubico key(s) were set up for challenge response (above).

I inserted my Uubico key and ran this command

ykpamcfg -2

1	ykpamcfg -2

Feel free to read the “ykpamcfg” manual here. The yubico-pam source code is located here.

Output:

The contents of “/Users/simon/.yubico/challenge-#######” looked like (I replaced 232 random chars with #’s below). The filename ended with my keys serial number.

v2:########################################################################################################################################################################################################################################:10000:2

Next, I was supposed to copy the challenge output from ykpamcfg to /var/root/.yubico/challenge-[YUBIKEY SERIAL NUMBER] with this command..

sudo cp /var/root/.yubico/challenge-[YUBIKEY SERIAL NUMBER] /Users/[USERNAME]/.yubico

1	sudo cp /var/root/.yubico/challenge-[YUBIKEY SERIAL NUMBER] /Users/[USERNAME]/.yubico

But I had this error.

No such file or directory

1	No such file or directory

Weird as the source file existed?? macOS issues?

I Opened /Users/[USERNAME]/.yubico/challenge-[YUBIKEY SERIAL NUMBER] in the nano editor (sudo elevated process) and saved the file to /var/root/.yubico/challenge-[YUBIKEY SERIAL NUMBER].

I reopened my terminal and verified the contents of /var/root/.yubico/challenge-[YUBIKEY SERIAL NUMBER]. The file is now there.

Permissions on the file is “-rw——-“. Good.

I inserted my second backuP key and re-ran “ykpamcfg -2” and copied the file to “/Users/simon/.yubico”

I verified the file contents

sudo cd /var/root/.yubico/
ls -al

1 2	sudo cd /var/root/.yubico/ ls -al

Output

Text Output:

> drwxr-xr-x 4 root wheel 128 9 Oct 09:50 .
> drwxr-x— 12 root wheel 384 9 Oct 09:39 ..
> -rw-r–r– 1 root wheel 244 9 Oct 09:50 challenge-#######
> -rw-r–r– 1 root wheel 244 9 Oct 09:42 challenge-#######

Snip from: https://www.yubico.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/yubico_YubiKeyMacLoginGuide_en.pdf

“Program at least two YubiKeys when implementing a requirement for authentication with a YubiKey on your Mac. If you configure only one YubiKey and something happens to the YubiKey, you must restore the Mac from a Time Machine backup that you created before editing the authorization file before you can log back in to your account. ”

Reading the guide regarding multiple accounts (setting up a Key for each login). I have 5 logins on my Mac but when this works I will disable the other accounts from logging in.

Enable the use of the Yubico key when the screensaver is deactivated on macOS

I opened a terminal and edited “/etc/pam.d/screensaver ” (I use the easier nano editor)

sudo nano /etc/pam.d/screensaver

1	sudo nano /etc/pam.d/screensaver

I added this line

auth       required       /usr/local/lib/security/pam_yubico.so mode=challenge-response

1	auth required /usr/local/lib/security/pam_yubico.so mode=challenge-response

auth[7 spaces]required[7 spaces]/usr/local/lib/security/pam_yubico.so mode=challenge-response

I saved the file ( [CTRL+O], [CTRL+X] ) and exited nano.

I tested my screensaver and no extra protection was provided (the screensaver just exited).

I rebooted, still no change?

I reinstalled the PAM module.

Silly me, I needed to enable the password on the screensaver to then activate the /etc/pam.d/screensaver entries.

I enabled the screensaver passwords

I am now prompted to enter my password and inset and tap my Yubico Key on screensaver exit (on both keys). Awesome.

Next, I need to enable this at macOS login.

Enable the use of the Yubico key at macOS Login

I edited /etc/pam.d/authorization file with nano in the terminal

sudo nano /etc/pam.d/authorization

1	sudo nano /etc/pam.d/authorization

I added the same line as was added to the file /etc/pam.d/screensaver

auth       required       /usr/local/lib/security/pam_yubico.so mode=challenge-response

1	auth required /usr/local/lib/security/pam_yubico.so mode=challenge-response

auth[7 spaces]required[7 spaces]/usr/local/lib/security/pam_yubico.so mode=challenge-response

I saved the file ( [CTRL+O], [CTRL+X] ) and exited nano.

Now let’s log out and test this.

It’s working.

Excellent

Add Two Factor Authentication to 1Password

Here is a guide on using the Yubico YubiKey with 1Password. This directed me to https://support.1password.com/yubikey/

I downloaded the Yubico Authenticator app on macOS and installed it.

After I inserted my primary Key I received a “No Credentials Found”message.

I logged into https://my.1password.com/signin and clicked My Profile.

I clicked More Actions then Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

I added the generated QR code details to the Android Authenticator and macOS Yubico Authenticator app. At first, I could not scan the QR code in macOS (was Mojave blocking this?), I manually entered the details (after confirming them from the Android app QR code scan).

Details:

Issuer: 1Password
Account Name: my.1password.com
Secret Key: ###################
Time: 30
Algorithm: SHA-1
Period: 30
Digits: 6

Now, 1Password web and the desktop app are asking for the 2-factor code (generated in the Yubico Authenticator app after I insert my YubioKey).

Nice

I logged off and I was not prompted for my Two Factor code?

Snip from: https://support.1password.com/two-factor-authentication/

“Your 1Password account is now protected by two-factor authentication. From now on, you’ll need to enter a six-digit authentication code from your authenticator app when you sign in to 1Password on a new device.”

I logged in to 1Password from Google Chrome on Android and indeed I was prompted for a two-factor auth code form the Yubico Authenticator app (with a KubiKey inserted).

Add Two Factor Authentication to Dropbox
I read https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/dropbox-personal/. Dropbox also has setup instructions here.

I logged into Dropbox and went to Settings then Security then clicked Add next to Security Keys

I started the Wizard, entered my Dropbox password, then inserted my YubiKey.

Name the Key

I added my Primary and Backup Key(s)

I logged out and back in and no Security Key prompt?

I am using Chrome and had cleared past browsers from the Dropbox list of web browsers at https://www.dropbox.com/account/security

I discovered that I need to set the primary authentication method to Use Mobile App (My Bad, it would be nice if Dropbox set this as default after I added the keys).

I added the Dropbox QR code to the Yuboico Authenticator app

I was asked to enter a 6 digit code from my Yubico Authenticator app to verify the working link. I inserted my YubiKey into my machine to show the code.

Now Dropbox is configured 🙂

Success

I now have to insert my primary key when logging into Dropbox

I need to find a way to copy my Authenticator credentials to my Backup Key from my Primary key

Add Two Factor Authentication to Twitter

I read https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/twitter/ (Setup Instructions)

1) Login to Twitter

2) Open your Settings and Look For Security

3) Click Start

4) Enter Your Password

5) Accept and enter any SMS codes if you set up SMS Two Factor codes via SMS

6) Click “Review your login verification methods”

7) Click “Setup Key”

8) Insert Your YubiKey and follow the prompts to activate it.

9) Now the key will be requoted to log in to Twitter

Testing Two Factor Login to Twitter

I logged out of and back into Twitter but the SMS Two Factor Authentication method was still active?

I tried to disable the SMS method in Twitter but two factor was disabled altogether and the registered key was deleted. I re-added my key 🙁

I solved this by choosing “Choose a different verification method” when logging in then choosing “Use your security key“, Twitter then accessed my YubiKey and further login attempts used the key instead of SMS 🙂 I could use an Authenticator code but they YubiKey touch method is quicker.

Done

It would be nice if Twitter allowed multiple keys to be used to log in?

Add Two Factor Authentication to Google, Google cloud, Gsuite etc

I read https://www.yubico.com/works-with-yubikey/catalog/google-accounts (Instructions https://myaccount.google.com/).

Adding two Factor authentication details to Google was not easily accessible at Google so I Googled (lol) this https://support.yubico.com/support/solutions/articles/15000006418-using-your-yubikey-with-google

I loaded: https://myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/two-step-verification/enroll-welcome

I clicked Get Start

I clicked Choose Another Option (not SMS Two factor)

Clicked Security Key

As prompted I inserted my key and allowed access to it.

I named the Key

I repeated the steps and added my 2nd key.

Done

I logged out my https://myaccount.google.com and logged back in and I was prompted to insert my YubiKey

Nice

I did try and login to my google GSuite account at https://admin.google.com but it did not prompt me to insert a key. I will do this next.

Add Two Factor Authentication to GSuite

I logged into the GSuite admin interface at https://admin.google.com/ I generated some backup codes in case I need them in the future.

I checked my main admin user account and I could see the 2 google security keys synced through from Google.

I then searched GSuite for “Two Factor” and loaded the “Enforcement” Page

I enabled “Turn On Enforcement Now”

I enabled “Only Security Keys”

I logged out and back into https://gsuite.google.com/ TWICE and no security key prompt.

Silly me: I forgot to click save at the bottom of the screen and it appears there is a 24-hour delay?

Add Two Factor Authentication to GMail

This is already done (above), GSuite email takes up to 24 hours to become active, GMail is instant.

Add Two Factor Authentication to Google Analytics

I can’t see an option to turn Two Factor Auth on in Google Analytics 🙂

I did send feedback to the Google Analytics team.

Add Two Factor Authentication to Google Adsense

I can’t see an option to turn Two Factor Auth on in Google Adsense either 🙂

I did send feedback to the Google AdSense team.

Add Two Factor Authentication to Github

I logged into Github, opened my Settings and clicked Security then Enable two-factor authentication

Click Setup using an app save the recovery codes.

Open the Yubico Authenticator app (ensure you can see the QR Code in GitHub)

In the Yubico Authenticator, App click File then Scan QR Code

The GitHub details should be added to the Authenticator

Two Factor via authenticator tokens is enabled and now I can see a Keys options,

I clicked Add next to security keys then Register New Device, I gave the key a name then clicked Add.

I added both keys then I Logged out and back in and two factor was enabled by YubiKey 🙂

Add Two Factor Authentication to Debian servers in the cloud (SSH)

Read Setup two-factor authenticator protection at login on Ubuntu or Debian

Add Two Factor Authentication to Ubuntu servers in the cloud (SSH)

Read Setup two-factor authenticator protection at login on Ubuntu or Debian

YubiKey Support

There are loads of Yubico support articles here: https://support.1password.com/yubikey/

Yubico Developer Info

A GitHub repository of source code is located here: https://github.com/Yubico

Other developer related pages here

Securing WordPress

Read this guide on Securing WordPress with 2FA (YubiKey insertion or Authenticator app).

I found a good WordPress plugin to handle 2FA logn methods.

I am prompted to insert my YubiKey after logging into WordPress.

Nice

Java Code to use the Yubico YubiKey in software (challenge mode)

todo: I will add this section soon.

Yubico has Java repository that contains a Java library with an accompanying demo server, as well as a JAAS module, to validate YubiKey OTP’s (One-Time Passwords).

https://developers.yubico.com/yubico-java-client/

PHP Code to use the Yubico YubiKey in software (challenge mode)

todo: I will add this section soon.

Yubico has PHP library ad source code but it has not been updated in 3 years. I cannot get this working on PHP 7.2.

https://github.com/Yubico/php-yubico

Using Yubico YubiKeys as 2fA with one-time Passwords.

The YubiKeys can be used to store and generate one time passwords.

No matter what server-provider you are using I strongly recommend you have a hot spare ready on a different provider

August 5, 2018 by Simon

No matter what server-provider you are using I strongly recommend you have a hot spare ready on a different provider

Aside

If you have not read my previous posts I have now moved my blog to the awesome UpCloud host (signup using this link to get $25 free UpCloud VM credit). I compared Digital Ocean, Vultr and UpCloud Disk IO here and UpCloud came out on top by a long way (read the blog post here). Here is my blog post on moving from Vultr to UpCloud.

Buy a domain name here

Now on with the post.

Murphy’s Law

I recently had an issue where I set up a website for a friend. I invested 6 hours into setting up..

I setup…

Debian OS
NGINX Web Server
MySQL Database
PHP 7.2
PHP-FPM Child Workers
HTTPS Certificate
Security (Firewall/Headers/SSH, WordPress, Plugins etc).
Installed WordPress and Plugins
Setup DNSSEC
Etc

I had tested GTMetrix scores = less than 1 second. Security headers were tested and I was happy with the site.

The server and backups were automatically deleted after 7 days while I was away from my keyboard because I assumed the account was valid and had credits.

Lesson Learned

Always have a backup (of the server, setup/ www, MySQL etc).
Script setups (Ansible, Puppet or Scripts) to sate time redeploying if need be.
Backups are not always available.
Do have setup documented (Check)
Do have a disaster plan

I have guides on setting up a server on UpCloud, AWS, Vultr, Digital Ocean but setting up can be rather repetitive so how can you prevent resetting up servers?

Why Plan for the Worst

Companies disappear.
Some hosts go down.
Some hosts have weird trial modes and internal process that could take your site down.
Human error?
Murphy’s Law

How I will prevent this in future

I am building a Java desktop app for Windows/OSX/Linux app that will deploy and set up on UpCloud/Vultr/Digital Ocean providers and allow for 1 click deploy and backup and restore.
I am going to re-establish replication between servers with RSync etc.
I am going to start to automate installs and environments.
I am going to set up a hot (ready to go) Green/Blue mirrored environments (www and DB server) on different providers in case of emergency. Then I can set the active live servers with DNS (blog posts soon).
Consider a server farm (same provider or different providers)

I hope this guide helps someone.

Please consider using my referral code and get $25 UpCloud VM credit if you need to create a server online.

https://www.upcloud.com/register/?promo=D84793

Ask a question or recommend an article

Revision History

v1.0 Initial Post

Upgraded to Wordfence Premium to get real-time login defence, malware scanner and two-factor authentication for WordPress logins

July 23, 2018 by Simon

This is a quick post that shows how I upgraded to Wordfence Premium to get real-time defence feeds, malware scanner and two-factor authentication for WordPress logins

Aside

Buy a domain name here

Now on with the post.

What is Wordfence

WordFence is a free WordPress plugin (install guide here) that helps protect your WordPress site by logging and blocking bad events. I was a big fan of the Wordfence sister program called GravityScan (before it was retired)

Read my review of the free Wordfence plugin here.

I was using Wordfence free to

Whitelist logins for known IP’s (read my guide on whitelisting IPs here)
Block known bad IPs from the Wordfence global network (but with a 30-day delay)
Create a firewall
Rate limiting page requests
Scan my site for malware
Ability to see past failed logins (and ban them)
Ability to block/ban users who try and login form new IP’s
Force strong WordPress account passwords
Set ban thresholds
Have I Been Pwned breached password checks
Much more

Install and set up Wordfence (Free)

Read my guide here to learn how to setup Wordfence (Free).

Malware Infections

Your website is often scanned and ranked for safety by sites like Norton Safe Web, Google, Trend Micro, Kaspersky Virus Desk, SiteGuarding etc along with search engines. Having malicious files on your site will affect your site Search EnginOptimizationio (SEO).

I had a 5-year-old scan of a subdomain (that was hosted on a CPanel Host). The subdomain had false positives for malware.

Working to remove the false positive was a lengthy process.

You should aim to stay off the radar or many site scanning, check VirusTotal often to keep your self-updated as to the status of your website. Wordfence will hopefully detect real malware issues automatically in the future.

https://sitecheck.sucuri.net/ is a good site that can aggregate your sites safety ratings.

WordfFence Free v Premium

Wordfence Premium

Prices (USD)

WordFence Premium

Read about some benefits of Wordfence Premium here.

Real-time firewall rules and malware signatures
Global Wordfence premium IP blacklist
Priority server processing for premium customers
Two Factor Authentication (only if you don’t use whitelisting I found out)

Buying a Wordfence Premium API Key

Login to https://www.wordfence.com/dashboard/
Click Buy More API Keys
Enter your Payment Details

>Thanks, your card information has been updated. You can now go to your API Key Manager and create and manage your Wordfence API keys.

Now you can buy an API key and copy and paste the API ey o to your Wordfence plugin.

Wordfence Firewall

Wordfence does a great job at showing failed/successful, top blocked IP’s

Wordfence Malware Scanner

Wordfence premium has schedulable scans with real-time malware signatures

Scan Progress

Testing the scanner

Wordfence says “A Wordfence scan examines all files on your WordPress website looking for malicious code, backdoors, shells that hackers have installed, known malicious URLs and known patterns of infections.”

I created an eicar.txt test file (information on eicar here (slightly modified so I don’t get tagged again b virus scanners)) to test the Wordfence malware scanner

echo 'X5O!P#removed#X54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*' > /www-root/eicar.txt
sudo chown www-data:www-data eicar.txt

1 2	echo 'X5O!P#removed#X54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*' > /www-root/eicar.txt sudo chown www-data:www-data eicar.txt

I enable scanning of files outside of WordPress

I rescanned my site with Wordfence

Result: Nothing??

I logged a support ticket to see if this is right?

Update: Wordfence support replied and said “Thanks for writing in. We do detect the EICAR test file, but scans don’t scan file types that aren’t dangerous on a site by default, since scans would waste a lot of time on files that aren’t exploitable.“

I disagree a virus is a virus.

Wordfence says “A Wordfence scan examines all files on your WordPress website looking for malicious code, backdoors, shells that hackers have installed, known malicious URLs and known patterns of infections.”

I guess “all” does not mean “all”?

Wordfence support said EICAR files are detected if I rename the file to php. I renamed the file and to enabled “Scan images, binary, and other files as if they were executable“.

I started a new scan

> Scan Failed
>The scan has failed because we received an unexpected response from the Wordfence servers. This may be a temporary error, though some sites may need adjustments to run scans reliably

🙁

I scanned my system with ClamAV and it found the EICAR file.

clamscan -r --bell -i /www-root

1	clamscan -r --bell -i /www-root

Result:

/www-root/eicar.txt: Eicar-Test-Signature FOUND

1	/www-root/eicar.txt: Eicar-Test-Signature FOUND

ClamAV found the virus.

Setting up Two Factor Authentication (work in progress)

Add your desired user and number

Click Enable User

Wait for the text message and activation code (on your phone)

Enter the activation code and press Activate

The two-factor authentication should be activated

List of two-factor authorization enabled users.

I logged out of WordPress and logged back in but the two-factor auth did not work, I logged a support Ticket with my theme maker and WordFence.

Update: Wordfence Support “Wordfence > Tools > Two Factor Authentication options there is an option for Enable Separate Prompt for Two Factor Code which you could disable and try.“

This fix did not work. I sent a 2nd diagnostics report to Wordfence.

Wordfence support said

>When our two-factor authentication feature allows you to login bypassing the need to enter the authentication code it is typically because of these possible reasons:

> 1) The user has whitelisted their IP address in the advanced firewall option “Whitelisted IP addresses that bypass all rules“.

>2) Another plugin, or possibly a theme, that creates non-standard WordPress behaviour such as user role and capabilities modification, or that modifies the login flow process in some way.

It appears my IP whitelist was disabling the two-factor auth feature 🙁

I’d rather keep the two-factor auth along with keeping the whitelist (just in case my whitelist IP is known and used).

Refund

I asked Wordfence for a refund (given)

Conclusion

Pros

Protects and blocks bad logins
Real-time blocked IP and malware feeds

Cons

Almost $140 Australian dollars a year
A scan does not detect eicar.txt test virus files (ticked logged), renamed to eicar.php and still no luck.
Two-factor auth (authenticator and SMS) does not work (ticket logged)
Wordfence support resolve/close support tickets with no confirmation from the user.
Two Factor Auth is disabled if you whitelist IPs 🙁

Is Premium worth it? Yes if you want “Real-time firewall rules and malware signatures” (and don’t whitelist your IP).

I hope this guide helps someone.

Please consider using my referral code and get $25 UpCloud VM credit if you need to create a server online.

https://www.upcloud.com/register/?promo=D84793

Ask a question or recommend an article

Revision History

v1.4 Updated conclusion and Wordfence refund

v1.3 added whitelist 2FA info

v1.2 added replied from Wordfence support re EICAR and Two Factor Auth.

v1.1 Added Pros and Cons section

v1.0 Initial Post

Set up Feature-Policy, Referrer-Policy and Content Security Policy headers in Nginx

July 17, 2018 by Simon

This is a quick post that shows how I set up the “Feature-Policy”, “Referrer-Policy” and “Content Security Policy” headers in Nginx to tighter security and privacy.

Aside

Buy a domain name here

Now on with the post.

Add a Feature Policy Header

Upon visiting https://securityheaders.com/ I found references to a Feature-Policy header (WC3 internet standard) that allows you to define what browse features you webpage can use along with other headers.

Google mentions the Feature-Policy header here.

Browser features that we can enable or block with feature-policy headers.

geolocation
midi
notifications
push
sync-xhr
microphone
camera
magnetometer
gyroscope
speaker
vibrate
fullscreen
payment

Feature Policy Values

* = The feature is allowed in documents in top-level browsing contexts by default, and when allowed, is allowed by default to documents in nested browsing contexts.
self = The feature is allowed in documents in top-level browsing contexts by default, and when allowed, is allowed by default to same-origin domain documents in nested browsing contexts, but is disallowed by default in cross-origin documents in nested browsing contexts.
none = The feature is disallowed in documents in top-level browsing contexts by default and is also disallowed by default to documents in nested browsing contexts.

My Final Feature Policy Header

I added this header to Nginx

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

1	sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

This essentially disables all browser features when visitors access my site

add_header Feature-Policy "geolocation none;midi none;notifications none;push none;sync-xhr none;microphone none;camera none;magnetometer none;gyroscope none;speaker self;vibrate none;fullscreen self;payment none;";

1	add_header Feature-Policy "geolocation none;midi none;notifications none;push none;sync-xhr none;microphone none;camera none;magnetometer none;gyroscope none;speaker self;vibrate none;fullscreen self;payment none;";

I reloaded Nginx config and restart Nginx

nginx -t
nginx -s reload
/etc/init.d/nginx restart

nginx -t

nginx -s reload

/etc/init.d/nginx restart

Feature-Policy Results

I verified my feature-policy header with https://securityheaders.com/

Nice, Feature -Policy is now enabled.

Now I need to enable the following headers

Content-Security-Policy (read more here)
Referer-Policy (read more here)

Add a Referrer Policy Header

I added this header configuration in Nginx to prevent referrers being leaked over insecure protocols.

add_header Referrer-Policy "no-referrer-when-downgrade";

1	add_header Referrer-Policy "no-referrer-when-downgrade";

Referrer-Policy Results

Again, I verified my referrer policy header with https://securityheaders.com/

Done, now I just need to setup Content Security Policy.

Add a Content Security Policy header

I read my old guide on Beyond SSL with Content Security Policy, Public Key Pinning etc before setting up a Content Security policy again (I had disabled it a while ago). Setting a fully working CSP is very complex and if you don’t want to review CSP errors and modify the CSP over time this may not be for you.

Read more about Content Security Policy here: https://content-security-policy.com/

I added my old CSP to Nginx

> add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; frame-ancestors 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; img-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; font-src 'self' data: https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://fonts.gstatic.com:* https://cdn.joinhoney.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; connect-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; media-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; child-src 'self' https://player.vimeo.com https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.youtube.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; form-action 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; " always;

> add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; frame-ancestors 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; img-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; font-src 'self' data: https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://fonts.gstatic.com:* https://cdn.joinhoney.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; connect-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; media-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; child-src 'self' https://player.vimeo.com https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.youtube.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; form-action 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; " always;

I then imported the CSP into https://report-uri.com/home/generate and enabled more recent CSP values.

add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self' ; script-src * 'self' data: 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com:* https://www.youtube.com:* https://adservice.google.com.au:* https://s.ytimg.com:* about; style-src 'self' data: 'unsafe-inline' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; img-src 'self' data: https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://a.impactradius-go.com:* https://www.paypalobjects.com:* https://namecheap.pxf.io:* https://www.paypalobjects.com:* https://stats.g.doubleclick.net:* https://*.doubleclick.net:* https://stats.g.doubleclick.net:* https://www.ojrq.net:* https://ak1s.abmr.net:* https://*.abmr.net:*; font-src 'self' data: https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://fonts.gstatic.com:* https://cdn.joinhoney.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net:*; connect-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; media-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; object-src 'self' ; child-src 'self' https://player.vimeo.com https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.youtube.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; frame-src 'self' https://www.youtube.com:* https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net:* https://*doubleclick.net; worker-src 'self' ; frame-ancestors 'self' ; form-action 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; upgrade-insecure-requests; block-all-mixed-content; disown-opener; reflected-xss block; base-uri https://fearby.com:*; manifest-src 'self' 'self' 'self'; referrer no-referrer-when-downgrade; report-uri https://fearby.report-uri.com/r/d/csp/enforce;" always;

add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self' ; script-src * 'self' data: 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com:* https://www.youtube.com:* https://adservice.google.com.au:* https://s.ytimg.com:* about; style-src 'self' data: 'unsafe-inline' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; img-src 'self' data: https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://a.impactradius-go.com:* https://www.paypalobjects.com:* https://namecheap.pxf.io:* https://www.paypalobjects.com:* https://stats.g.doubleclick.net:* https://*.doubleclick.net:* https://stats.g.doubleclick.net:* https://www.ojrq.net:* https://ak1s.abmr.net:* https://*.abmr.net:*; font-src 'self' data: https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fonts.googleapis.com:* https://fonts.gstatic.com:* https://cdn.joinhoney.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net:*; connect-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; media-src 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://*.google-analytics.com https://*.google.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://secure.gravatar.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; object-src 'self' ; child-src 'self' https://player.vimeo.com https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.youtube.com https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; frame-src 'self' https://www.youtube.com:* https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net:* https://*doubleclick.net; worker-src 'self' ; frame-ancestors 'self' ; form-action 'self' https://fearby.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://fearby-com.exactdn.com:* https://www.googletagmanager.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:* https://www.google-analytics.com:*; upgrade-insecure-requests; block-all-mixed-content; disown-opener; reflected-xss block; base-uri https://fearby.com:*; manifest-src 'self' 'self' 'self'; referrer no-referrer-when-downgrade; report-uri https://fearby.report-uri.com/r/d/csp/enforce;" always;

I restarted Nginx

nginx -t
nginx -s reload
/etc/init.d/nginx restart

nginx -t

nginx -s reload

/etc/init.d/nginx restart

I loaded the Google Developer Console to see any CSP errors when loading my site.

I enabled reporting of CSP errors to https://fearby.report-uri.com/r/d/csp/enforce

Fyi: Content Security Policy OWASP Cheat Sheet.

You can validate CSP with https://cspvalidator.org

Now I won’t have to check my Chrome Developer Console and visitors to my site will report errors. I can see my site’s visitors CSP errors at https://report-uri.com/

Content Security Policy Results

I reviewed the reported errors and made some more CSP changes. I will continue to lock down my CSP and make more changes before making this CSP policy live.

I verified my header with https://securityheaders.com/

Testing Policies

TIP: Use the header name of “Content-Security-Policy-Report-Only” instead of “Content-Security-Policy” to report errors before making CSP changes live.

I did not want to go live too soon, I had issues with some WordPress plugins not working in the WordPress admins screens.

Reviewing Errors

Do check your reported errors and update your CSP often, I had a post with a load of Twitter related errors.

I hope this guide helps someone.

Please consider using my referral code and get $25 UpCloud VM credit if you need to create a server online.

https://www.upcloud.com/register/?promo=D84793

Ask a question or recommend an article

Revision History

V1.3 https://cspvalidator.org

v1.2 OWASP Cheat Sheet.

v1.1 added info on WordPress errors.

v1.0 Initial Post

Setting strong SSL cryptographic protocols and ciphers on Ubuntu and NGINX

May 15, 2018 by Simon

This guide will aim to inform you of strong cryptographic protocols and ciphers to use on a web server on Ubuntu 16.04 and NGINX.

Secure encryption protocols are used to secure communications between a server and client. Older SSL protocols like Netscape’s Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) are flagged as DO NOT USE use by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Newer protocols like Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the newer recommended SSL protocols to use.

Wikipedia Article on Cryptographic Protocol’s

A security protocol (cryptographic protocol or encryption protocol) is an abstract or concrete protocol that performs a security-related function and applies cryptographic methods, often as sequences of cryptographic primitives. A protocol describes how the algorithms should be used. A sufficiently detailed protocol includes details about data structures and representations, at which point it can be used to implement multiple, interoperable versions of a program.

Wikipedia on Ciphers

In cryptography, a cipher (or cypher) is an algorithm for performing encryption or decryption—a series of well-defined steps that can be followed as a procedure. An alternative, less common term is encipherment. To encipher or encode is to convert information into cipher or code. In common parlance, “cipher” is synonymous with “code,” as they are both a set of steps that encrypt a message; however, the concepts are distinct in cryptography, especially classical cryptography.

Wikipedia article on Elliptic-curve cryptography

Wikipedia article on Diffie–Hellman key exchange

Bad SSL Assumptions I have heard for not using HTTPS

I am not a bank so I don’t need HTTPS
SSL overhead is was too high on servers.
My site only has static content, I don’t need HTTPS
I don’t need SSL to secure my site I just need to be less of a target than others
I don’t hold confidential information (Wrong)

Don’t be Lazy and secure a site poorly

A local business that wanted me to buy their goods is not convincing me.

(tested with SSL labs and asafaweb)

Why SSL

If you are unsure of why you need SSL visit https://doesmysiteneedhttps.com/, Avoiding the Not Secure Warning in Chrome, Why HTTPS matters and securing your site with HTTPS.

Google has an HTTPS usage graph for all communications to its services (hint it’s growing): https://transparencyreport.google.com/https/overview?hl=en

SSL Future

SSL is here to stay, Non-SSL sites will soon be labelled insecure, Non-SSL sites will have Search Engine Optimization (SEO) adversely affected.

Also, secure pages will be treated as normal (not flagged as secure)

In October, Chrome will remove the “secure” indicator on all HTTPS pages and mark pages that do no use the secure version of the HTTP protocol with a red “not secure” warning. This change will make the web safer to use by default. https://t.co/ar3lwB9aRt
— J-François Lavigne (@jflavigne) May 25, 2018

History of Protocol’s – Launch Dates

SSL 1.0 (never launched)
SSL 2.0 1995
SSL 3.0 1996
TLS 1.0 1999
TLS 1.1 2006
TLS 1.2 2008
TLS 1.3 2018

Sites like https://caniuse.com can show you if our browser an use new protocols like TLS (e.g TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2, TLS 1.3)

TLS 1.0 is supported by All Browsers
TLS 1.1 is supported on IE11+, Edge, Firefox 24+, Chrome 22+, Safari 7+, Opera 12.1+, iOS Safari 5.1+, Chrome 62 on Android 5+ etc
TLS 1.2 is supported on IE11+, Edge, Firefox 27, Chrome 30+, Safari 7+, Opera 17+, iOS Safari 5.1, Chrome 62 on Android 5+ etc
TLS 1.3 is not Supported by IE, Edge, Safari, iOS Safari, Android but is supported by Firefox 52, Chrome 56, Opera 43.

I have a guide here on setting up TLS 1.3 on Ubuntu 16.05 and Chrome, I use the draft build of OpenSSL but Open SSL 1.1.1 will support TLS 1.3. I am still figuring our TLS 1.3 on Ubuntu 18.04.

At the time of writing, you need to opt into TLS 1.3 draft specification in Chrome.

Cipher or Cypher

Read this page to see the history of the word Cipher or Cypher?

Buying an SSL certificate

Opening your wallet may not buy you the best certificate either, this was an SSL Labs review of a $150 SSL certificate Ii purchased a few years ago from a CPanel web host.

I don’t buy commercial certificates anymore, I prefer free SSL certificates from Lets Encrypt

SSL Strength

I prefer to set up my own (free) SSL certificate with Lest Encrypt and tets those certificated with https://dev.ssllabs.com/ssltest/

You can configure your web server to only use certain protocols.

ssl_prefer_server_ciphers on;
ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;

1 2	ssl_prefer_server_ciphers on; ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;

And define preferred ciphers

ssl_ciphers ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA512:DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA512:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256;

1	ssl_ciphers ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA512:DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA512:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256;

Don’t forget to renew your SSL certificates ahead of time.

Also run a modern browser like Google Chrome Canary as some old browsers thnk expired SSL certificates are Secure

Ciphers

OpenSSL has implemented support for five TLS v1.3 cipher suites:

TLS13-AES-256-GCM-SHA384
TLS13-CHACHA20-POLY1305-SHA256
TLS13-AES-128-GCM-SHA256
TLS13-AES-128-CCM-8-SHA256
TLS13-AES-128-CCM-SHA256

Test OpenSSL Cipher Suites

openssl ciphers -s -v
TLS_AES_256_GCM_SHA384  TLSv1.3 Kx=any      Au=any  Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD
TLS_CHACHA20_POLY1305_SHA256 TLSv1.3 Kx=any      Au=any  Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD
TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256  TLSv1.3 Kx=any      Au=any  Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD
ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=ECDSA Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD
ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=RSA  Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD
DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH       Au=RSA  Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD
ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=ECDSA Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD
ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=RSA  Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD
DHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH       Au=RSA  Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD
ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=ECDSA Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD
ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=RSA  Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD
DHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH       Au=RSA  Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD
ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA384
ECDHE-RSA-AES256-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=RSA  Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA384
DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA256   TLSv1.2 Kx=DH       Au=RSA  Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA256
ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA256
ECDHE-RSA-AES128-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH     Au=RSA  Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA256
DHE-RSA-AES128-SHA256   TLSv1.2 Kx=DH       Au=RSA  Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA256
ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA  TLSv1 Kx=ECDH     Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA1
ECDHE-RSA-AES256-SHA    TLSv1 Kx=ECDH     Au=RSA  Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA1
DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA      SSLv3 Kx=DH       Au=RSA  Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA1
ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA  TLSv1 Kx=ECDH     Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA1
ECDHE-RSA-AES128-SHA    TLSv1 Kx=ECDH     Au=RSA  Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA1
DHE-RSA-AES128-SHA      SSLv3 Kx=DH       Au=RSA  Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA1
AES256-GCM-SHA384       TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA      Au=RSA  Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD
AES128-GCM-SHA256       TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA      Au=RSA  Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD
AES256-SHA256           TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA      Au=RSA  Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA256
AES128-SHA256           TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA      Au=RSA  Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA256
AES256-SHA              SSLv3 Kx=RSA      Au=RSA  Enc=AES(256)  Mac=SHA1
AES128-SHA              SSLv3 Kx=RSA      Au=RSA  Enc=AES(128)  Mac=SHA1

openssl ciphers -s -v

TLS_AES_256_GCM_SHA384 TLSv1.3 Kx=any Au=any Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD

TLS_CHACHA20_POLY1305_SHA256 TLSv1.3 Kx=any Au=any Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD

TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256 TLSv1.3 Kx=any Au=any Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD

ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=ECDSA Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD

ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=RSA Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD

DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH Au=RSA Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD

ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=ECDSA Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD

ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=RSA Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD

DHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH Au=RSA Enc=CHACHA20/POLY1305(256) Mac=AEAD

ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=ECDSA Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD

ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=RSA Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD

DHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH Au=RSA Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD

ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA384

ECDHE-RSA-AES256-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=RSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA384

DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH Au=RSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA256

ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA256

ECDHE-RSA-AES128-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=ECDH Au=RSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA256

DHE-RSA-AES128-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=DH Au=RSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA256

ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA TLSv1 Kx=ECDH Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA1

ECDHE-RSA-AES256-SHA TLSv1 Kx=ECDH Au=RSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA1

DHE-RSA-AES256-SHA SSLv3 Kx=DH Au=RSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA1

ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA TLSv1 Kx=ECDH Au=ECDSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA1

ECDHE-RSA-AES128-SHA TLSv1 Kx=ECDH Au=RSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA1

DHE-RSA-AES128-SHA SSLv3 Kx=DH Au=RSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA1

AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA Au=RSA Enc=AESGCM(256) Mac=AEAD

AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA Au=RSA Enc=AESGCM(128) Mac=AEAD

AES256-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA Au=RSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA256

AES128-SHA256 TLSv1.2 Kx=RSA Au=RSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA256

AES256-SHA SSLv3 Kx=RSA Au=RSA Enc=AES(256) Mac=SHA1

AES128-SHA SSLv3 Kx=RSA Au=RSA Enc=AES(128) Mac=SHA1

A handy guide about using ciphers

SSL/TLS: How to choose your cipher suite

Testing a remote host’s ciphers and protocols with cipherscan

Clone this repository: https://github.com/mozilla/cipherscan

Scan a site

./cipherscan fearby.com

1	./cipherscan fearby.com

Result

Target: fearby.com:443

prio  ciphersuite                        protocols  pfs                 curves
1     ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD  TLSv1.2    ECDH,P-256,256bits  prime256v1
2     ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256      TLSv1.2    ECDH,P-256,256bits  prime256v1
3     ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA             TLSv1.2    ECDH,P-256,256bits  prime256v1
4     ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA256          TLSv1.2    ECDH,P-256,256bits  prime256v1
5     ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384      TLSv1.2    ECDH,P-256,256bits  prime256v1
6     ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA             TLSv1.2    ECDH,P-256,256bits  prime256v1
7     ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA384          TLSv1.2    ECDH,P-256,256bits  prime256v1

Certificate: trusted, 256 bits, ecdsa-with-SHA256 signature
TLS ticket lifetime hint: 64800
NPN protocols: h2,http/1.1
OCSP stapling: supported
Cipher ordering: server
Curves ordering: server - fallback: no
Server supports secure renegotiation
Server supported compression methods: NONE
TLS Tolerance: yes

Intolerance to:
 SSL 3.254           : absent
 TLS 1.0             : PRESENT
 TLS 1.1             : PRESENT
 TLS 1.2             : absent
 TLS 1.3             : absent
 TLS 1.4             : absent

Target: fearby.com:443

prio ciphersuite protocols pfs curves

1 ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD TLSv1.2 ECDH,P-256,256bits prime256v1

2 ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256 TLSv1.2 ECDH,P-256,256bits prime256v1

3 ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA TLSv1.2 ECDH,P-256,256bits prime256v1

4 ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA256 TLSv1.2 ECDH,P-256,256bits prime256v1

5 ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384 TLSv1.2 ECDH,P-256,256bits prime256v1

6 ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA TLSv1.2 ECDH,P-256,256bits prime256v1

7 ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA384 TLSv1.2 ECDH,P-256,256bits prime256v1

Certificate: trusted, 256 bits, ecdsa-with-SHA256 signature

TLS ticket lifetime hint: 64800

NPN protocols: h2,http/1.1

OCSP stapling: supported

Cipher ordering: server

Curves ordering: server - fallback: no

Server supports secure renegotiation

Server supported compression methods: NONE

TLS Tolerance: yes

Intolerance to:

SSL 3.254 : absent

TLS 1.0 : PRESENT

TLS 1.1 : PRESENT

TLS 1.2 : absent

TLS 1.3 : absent

TLS 1.4 : absent

Cipher scan can also recommend settings to change to help you harden a server (based on https://wiki.mozilla.org/Security/Server_Side_TLS)

Analyze Command

./analyze.py -t fearby.com

1	./analyze.py -t fearby.com

Results

fearby.com:443 has bad ssl/tls

Things that are bad:
* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD

Changes needed to match the old level:
* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD
* enable TLSv1.1
* enable TLSv1
* enable SSLv3
* add cipher DES-CBC3-SHA
* use a certificate with sha1WithRSAEncryption signature
* use DHE of 1024bits and ECC of 160bits

Changes needed to match the intermediate level:
* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD
* consider enabling TLSv1.1
* consider enabling TLSv1
* add cipher AES128-SHA
* use a certificate signed with sha256WithRSAEncryption

Changes needed to match the modern level:
* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD
* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA
* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA

fearby.com:443 has bad ssl/tls

Things that are bad:

* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD

Changes needed to match the old level:

* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD

* enable TLSv1.1

* enable TLSv1

* enable SSLv3

* add cipher DES-CBC3-SHA

* use a certificate with sha1WithRSAEncryption signature

* use DHE of 1024bits and ECC of 160bits

Changes needed to match the intermediate level:

* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD

* consider enabling TLSv1.1

* consider enabling TLSv1

* add cipher AES128-SHA

* use a certificate signed with sha256WithRSAEncryption

Changes needed to match the modern level:

* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305-OLD

* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA

* remove cipher ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA

More info on hardening here.

TLS 1.3 Information

Securing Google G Suite email by setting up SPF, DKIM and DMARC with Cloudflare

April 14, 2018 by Simon

This post will show you how you can setup Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) Signatures and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) on your GMail (G Suite) email to limit spam and increase security.

I have a number of guides on moving away form CPanel, Setting up VM’s on AWS, Vultr or Digital Ocean along with installing and managing WordPress from the command line. I use Google G Suite to send and receive emails that are linked to my domain (even via the command line) using multiple domains (with aliases).

For the best performing VM host (UpCloud) read my guide on the awesome UpCloud VM hosts (get $25 free credit by signing up here).

Buy a domain name from Namecheap here.

Buy how can you extend your email security and limit spam?

Enter..

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) for Authorizing Use of Domains in Email

Background: SPF summary from the RFC document from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

“Email on the Internet can be forged in a number of ways. In particular, existing protocols place no restriction on what a sending host can use as the “MAIL FROM” of a message or the domain given on the SMTP HELO/EHLO commands. This document describes version 1 of the Sender Policy Framework (SPF) protocol, whereby ADministrative Management Domains (ADMDs) can explicitly authorize the hosts that are allowed to use their domain names, and a receiving host can check such authorization.”

Google has a guide in setting up SPF records for your G Suite account.

Scan your site for SPF, DKIM and DMARC configuration(s).

Gmail has a test site where you can check your site SPF, DKIM and DMARC etc: https://toolbox.googleapps.com/apps/checkmx/

How to set up an SPF Record

I followed this guide to set up an SPF record on my G Suite account. I use Cloudflare for my DNS provider so I’ll make my DNS changes there.

Update: Google instructions were wrong, use a TXT record and not a SPF record.

Using the Qualys FreeScan Scanner to test your website for online vulnerabilities

March 23, 2018 by Simon

It is possible to deploy a server in minutes to hours but it can take days to secure. What tools can you use to help identify what to secure on your website?

I have a number of guides on moving hasting away form CPanel, Setting up VM’s on AWS, Vultr or Digital Ocean along with installing and managing WordPress from the command line, installing a Free SSL certificate and setting up SSL security.

Security Tools

https://asafaweb.com/ is a good tool for quick scanning
Kali Linux has a number of security tools you can use.
You can run a system audit Lynis Audit.
Checking your site for vulnerabilities with Zap.
Run a Gravity Scan malware and supply chain scan
Use Qualys SSL scan to test your SSL certificate: https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/

Qualys SSL Labs SSL Tester is the best tool for checking an SSL certificate strength

Most people don’t know Qualys also has another free (limited to 10 scans) vulnerability scanner for websites.

Goto https://freescan.qualys.com/ and click Start your free account.

Complete the signup form

Now check your email to login and confirm your email account

Login now from the email.

Create a password (why the 25 char max Qualys?)

Enter your website URL and click Scan

The scan can take hours

While the scan was being performed I noticed that Qualys offers alerts (I’ll check this out later): https://www.qualys.com/research/security-alerts/

Yes, the scan can take hours, take a walk or read other posts here.

The scan is almost complete

Yay, my latest scan revealed 0 High, 0 Medium and 0 Low-risk vulnerabilities.

It did report 23 informational alerts like “Firewall Detected“.

Threat Report Results

Patch Report Results

This report was empty (probably because I don’t run Windows)

Threat Report Results

The OWASP report contained partial scan results (maybe the full report is available to pro users)

Previous Scan Results

The Qualys dashboard will show all past scans.

My first scan showed a Low priority issue with the /wp-login.php page as the input fields did not have “autocomplete=”off””, I fixed this by adding “autocomplete=”off”” the removing the page (safer).

The second scan found two issues with cookies (possibly ad banner cookies) and 2 subfolders that I created in past development exercises. I deleted the two sub-folders that were not needed.

The third scan was clean.

Here is a scan of a static website of a friends server (static can be less secure if the server underneath is old or unpatched).

Happy scanning. I hope this guide helps someone.

Ask a question or recommend an article

Revision History

v1.1 Static Web Server Scan

v1.0 Initial post

Personal Development Blog...

Coding for fun since 1996, Learn by doing and sharing.

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"If you're not still learning, you're already dying."
- Ryan Holiday - Ego is the Enemy

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View All Posts.

Security

How to install PHP 7.2.latest on Ubuntu 16.04

Using the Yubico YubiKey NEO hardware-based two-factor authentication device to improve authentication and logins to OSX and software

Set up Feature-Policy, Referrer-Policy and Content Security Policy headers in Nginx

Setting strong SSL cryptographic protocols and ciphers on Ubuntu and NGINX

Securing Google G Suite email by setting up SPF, DKIM and DMARC with Cloudflare

Using the Qualys FreeScan Scanner to test your website for online vulnerabilities

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