RFC 3552 (rfc3552) - Page 1 of 44

Guidelines for Writing RFC Text on Security Considerations

Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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Network Working Group                                        E. Rescorla
Request for Comments: 3552                                    RTFM, Inc.
BCP: 72                                                        B. Korver
Category: Best Current Practice                          Xythos Software
                                             Internet Architecture Board
                                                                     IAB
                                                               July 2003


       Guidelines for Writing RFC Text on Security Considerations

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the
   Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   All RFCs are required to have a Security Considerations section.
   Historically, such sections have been relatively weak.  This document
   provides guidelines to RFC authors on how to write a good Security
   Considerations section.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
      1.1. Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   2. The Goals of Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
      2.1. Communication Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
           2.1.1. Confidentiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
           2.1.2. Data Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
           2.1.3. Peer Entity authentication . . . . . . . . . .   4
      2.2. Non-Repudiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
      2.3. Systems Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
           2.3.1. Unauthorized Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
           2.3.2. Inappropriate Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
           2.3.3. Denial of Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
   3. The Internet Threat Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
      3.1. Limited Threat Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
      3.2. Passive Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
           3.2.1. Confidentiality Violations . . . . . . . . . .   8
           3.2.2. Password Sniffing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
           3.2.3. Offline Cryptographic Attacks. . . . . . . . .   9



Rescorla & Korver        Best Current Practice
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