[v4tov6transition] Ways to break IPv6

[Ed Jankiewicz <[e-mail]>]

  this is not a surprise, it is something that has been predicted by 
many as one of the "growing pains" of IPv6 transition.  Firewalls and 
other security software will "support" IPv6 initially by just blocking 
it - too much work (and too little demand) for a real implementation.

Just loaded an updated version of the commercial anti-virus package that 
I've been using, let it remain nameless, it is certainly not the only 
offender in this area.  Unlike the previous version this includes an 
enhancement - it blocks all IPv6 and IPv6 over IPv4 traffic by default.  
The firewall rule can be disabled.

If you are a network operator, there is a lot of mischief that can be 
done by software that the end-user downloads onto their machines that 
can make IPv6 appear broken.  This is another area that should get some 
attention - how will customer service and help desk people be trained to 
deal with "connectivity" problems the user can cause themselves?

It took me a while to figure this out, and I'm one of the people who 
frequently predicted this would happen.  Imagine your average end-user 
who knows nothing about IPv6 and expects that "it just works".  Also, 
many books, websites and other security advice says "when in doubt, turn 
off IPv6".  At least in the foreseeable future, this will continue to be 
impedance against the uptake of IPv6.


-- 
Ed Jankiewicz - SRI International
Fort Monmouth Branch Office - IPv6 Research
Supporting DISA Standards Engineering Branch
732-389-1003 or  [e-mail]