Re:Minibone: practical end-to-end encryption for web apps
by tptacek on Tuesday April 09, 2024 @02:51AM
(#39976767)
I don't understand the first point as a claimed security level with a specific threat model. The second point, about deactivated points, is equally true of serverside encryption --- again, assume keys stored clientside, but encryption code run serverside (in fact, it can be true in applications that don't encrypt at all).
Re:Minibone: practical end-to-end encryption for web apps
by btown on Tuesday April 09, 2024 @04:13PM
(#39983726)
If I have a 0day for your backend stack, or you fail to upgrade a dependency, I might get RCE on your backend server and install an exfiltration system, but I would not necessarily be able to pivot to changing the frontend bundle on the static CDN without compromising the CI/CD and code review system, which (hopefully) uses isolated credentials and has strong audit logs. A threat model where even a persistent or long-running infection on backend servers allows user content (if not metadata) to remain opaque can be useful.
Oh, and a deactivated account, where no client with secret access ever gets updated or executes code again, will never leak its secrets, regardless of level of (pre-quantum) compromise of the company. Useful for limited-time communications that need to be private from sophisticated adversaries in perpetuity.
Not to mention that it signals commitment of your company to data privacy, which may deliver value in and of itself.