Virusability of Palm OS

1
Virusability of Palm OS

• Vesselin Bontchev, antivirus researcherFRISK
  Software InternationalPostholf 7180, 127
  Reykjavik, ICELANDEmail bontchev_at_complex.is

2
Virusability of Palm OS

• Introduction
• Vectors of Delivery
• Lack of Protection
• Spreading Problems
• Viral Techniques
• Anti-Virus Problems
• The Good News
• Conclusion

3
Vectors of Delivery

• HotSync
• Serial Port/USB
• Infrared Beam
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• Network
• E-mail Attachment
• MMS

4
Lack of Protection

• Deletion
• Modification
• Execution
• Reading (Data Theft)
• Reset
• Flash Memory Tampering

5
Spreading Problems

• Relatively Small Vulnerable Population
• Insufficient Connectivity
• Incompatibility

6
Viral Techniques

• Speed
• ROM Infection
• Infection Mechanisms
• Overwriting
• Appending
• Prepending
• Segmentation
• Companionship
• Conduits
• Boot Loader Infection
• Mass Mailing

7
Viral Techniques - Continued

• Self-Protection Mechanisms
• Stealth
• Encryption
• Polymorphism
• Interception
• Tunneling
• Receiving Control
• Trap Patching
• Event Notifications
• Alarms
• Launch Codes

8
Anti-Virus Problems

• Lack of Protection
• Digital Certificates
• Limited Memory
• Opened Databases
• Interception Problems

9
The Good News

• Small Vulnerable Population
• Not a Virus-Friendly Software Distribution Model

10

• Conclusion
• Questions?