We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hardware

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Storage Channel?

By T.S. Adams
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 12,235
Share

A storage channel is a covert computing channel which allows one process to write to a storage location on the computer or network while allowing another process to read information on the storage location by another process. As a covert channel, a storage channel has the ability to transfer data between objects that would otherwise be segregated by the security restrictions in the computer's operating system. This provides an additional level of programming flexibility, but, when used unscrupulously, covert channels can be used to undermine security on a system.

Picture a storage channel as a bit like two children passing notes back and forth during class. According to the rules set out by the operating system — the "teacher" of the class — the children are not supposed to be talking. By slipping information to one another outside the view of the operating system, they establish an otherwise impermissible line of communication.

A storage channel is a two-way connection. So while one process is transcribing information to the hard drive or another storage location on the computer, a second process is accessing and reading the information off the same storage device. This constant back and forth passing of information offers programmers another method of exchanging data on a computer. It provides a medium for attacking a system, though, if programmers are dishonest.

As the computer's operating system has no knowledge of the information being passed across a storage channel, it is entirely possible for a hacker to slip out personal or sensitive data across this type of channel. Additionally, a hacker could also manipulate data within the system the same way. Thus, in theory, someone undermining a system in this way could make out with the financial records of an organization while leaving incorrect "dummy" information in its place.

Since it is a type of covert channel, the possibility of storage channel data transfer cannot be completely eliminated. However, secure operating systems can monitor the potential activity on storage channels by utilizing pattern recognition tools to see whether unusual activity on the system might be information moving along storage channels. Think of this like listening as two people in different cells communicate by knocking on walls; if only one or two knocks are heard over a long period of time, chances are good that it was a random act. However, if knocking on the walls is heard both regularly and rhythmically, chances are good that information is being exchanged.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-storage-channel.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.