[cabfpub] Verification of Domain Contact and Domain Authorization Document

Wed Jan 3 12:27:38 UTC 2018

I agree with Mads and am also supportive of a ballot that removes 3.2.2.4.5 and adds some more detail to 3.2.2.4.1.

Doug

From: Public [mailto:public-bounces at cabforum.org] On Behalf Of Mads Egil Henriksveen via Public
Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2018 7:11 AM
To: Jeremy Rowley <jeremy.rowley at digicert.com>; CA/Browser Forum Public Discussion List <public at cabforum.org>; geoffk at apple.com
Subject: Re: [cabfpub] Verification of Domain Contact and Domain Authorization Document

Then I think we should change the requirements. 

As a representative for a CA with a background in strong identity validation (both for natural and legal persons) I find these examples from Ryan and Jeremy to represent a very bad practice. If this really reflects the current practice in the industry, we need to tighten up the requirements and make them much more specific.

>From my point of view (and with my background) I find method 3.2.2.4.1 useful. We must remember that the domain validation methods also are used for EV (and not only OV) and when we have a strongly validated and verified organization (e.g. based on the EV requirements) it makes sense to allow for the organization to apply for certificates including domain names owned by the organization itself. 

I understand that there are doubts about how to ensure that the organization really owns the domain (like in Jeremy’s example), but it should not be too hard to “strengthen” the link between the applicant and the domain owner in terms of rewriting section 3.2.2.4.1. A match in the organization name only should of course not be allowed. 

In Norway every organization is given a unique organization number by a national authority and in the registry for the TLD=.no domains (see www.norid.no <http://www.norid.no> ) we find this organization number as a part of the domain name registrant information. In such cases, we allow for issuance based on 3.2.2.4.1 if the domain name registrant information exactly match organization information (i.e. by country, organization name and organization number).  I think this is a reasonable use case for method 3.2.2.4.1. 

Personally I am more concerned about the possibility we give to any stakeholder in the ecosystem who takes a role in controlling a domain to get an OV (and EV) certificate based on domain control only. This was discussed also in the F2F meeting in Bilbao last year – see https://cabforum.org/2016/05/25/2016-05/#The-Role-of-Identity-in-TLS-Certificates.

Therefore, I am supportive for a ballot which removes 3.2.2.4.5 and keep 3.2.2.4.1 but strengthen this up to allow for use cases like the one described above.

Regards

Mads  

From: Public [mailto:public-bounces at cabforum.org] On Behalf Of Jeremy Rowley via Public
Sent: onsdag 3. januar 2018 05:47
To: geoffk at apple.com; CA/Browser Forum Public Discussion List <public at cabforum.org>
Subject: Re: [cabfpub] Verification of Domain Contact and Domain Authorization Document

I disagree. The requirements do not specify that.  All that is required is the name of the applicant was verified under 3.2.2.1 and that the register specify the domain contact is the applicant. If Google, Inc. is specified as the domain contact, no address matching is required.

From: geoffk at apple.com <mailto:geoffk at apple.com>  [mailto:geoffk at apple.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 2, 2018 4:34 PM
To: Jeremy Rowley <jeremy.rowley at digicert.com <mailto:jeremy.rowley at digicert.com> >; CA/Browser Forum Public Discussion List <public at cabforum.org <mailto:public at cabforum.org> >
Cc: Ryan Sleevi <sleevi at google.com <mailto:sleevi at google.com> >; Adriano Santoni <adriano.santoni at staff.aruba.it <mailto:adriano.santoni at staff.aruba.it> >
Subject: Re: [cabfpub] Verification of Domain Contact and Domain Authorization Document

On Dec 22, 2017, at 12:09 PM, Jeremy Rowley via Public <public at cabforum.org <mailto:public at cabforum.org> > wrote:

The attack vector is easier than that. 

1.	I use very stringent processes to verify that Google, Inc. is a legit company in Utah.
2.	I verify that Jeremy did indeed incorporate Google, Inc. 
3.	I call Jeremy at the phone listed for Google, Inc., the Utah corporation
4.	The domain information shows Google, Inc. as owning  <http://google.com/> google.com
5.	Certificate issues.

Obviously this would be caught in every CA’s high risk checks, but the point remains valid. Regardless of the expertise and thoroughness of the org check, the specs lack any time between the verified org and the actual domain because orgs are not unique on a global basis.

For item 4, you have to verify that “the Applicant is the Domain Contact”.  Obviously it’s insufficient to just compare names—you must verify every element of the WHOIS contact matches the Applicant, that’s typically name, postal address, phone number, and e-mail.

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