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Various Ways To Hack Or Over-Ride Foolproof

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- ~^AmnesiA^~ Method 1

- ~^AmnesiA^~ Method 2

- NINJA Technique 1

- ~ShadoW^ Method 1

- ~ShadoW^ Method 2

- MISC Method 1

- MISC Method 2

 

There are various ways of HACKING or Over-riding FoolProof. First off, let me give you a little bit of  information about FoolProof. FOo0l Pro0F was developed my SmartStuff and is a program that is used by most schools in order to prvent unwanted users from changing system files and to stop them from doing  specific acts.  Such acts could include RIGHT-CLICKING, COPYING, RENAMING, USING DOS, etc...

 

~^AmnesiA^~ Method 1

This is a method my friend and I discovered.

 

We were on a Windows 98 platform.

 

1.Step one is preperation. You need to enter the system's BIOS setup (usually by pressing DEL or F2, it  will say on the boot screen) right away at startup. Make sure that the computer reads from the A:\ drive before it goes to C:\.

 

You will also need to aquire a Windows boot disk. Put Edit.com on the boot disk as well. It's available on  my site.

 

2.Boot up the computer with the boot disk in the disk drive. Select start the computer without cd support.  Let the computer run its course, it will take about a minute. Eventually you will get to a C: prompt.  Change to an A: prompt.

 

3.Once you have the A: prompt, open up Edit.com.

 

4.In Edit.com, go to open, then search in C:\Windows and find WIN.INI.

Open it.

 

5.Scroll down through the WIN.INI file and find a section that starts off: [Foolproof]. Delete that entire  section. This is the code that makes Foolproof open every time you boot windows. By deleting it, you are  preventing Foolproof from opening. MAKE SURE TO SAVE THE WIN.INI FILE BEFORE EXITING!

 

6.From here you are free to do whatever you want in Windows. I suggest going into C: and locating  Unfool.exe. It is Foolproof's uninstall program.

 

~^AmnesiA^~ Method 2

This is a method i discovered on my own a little later. I was working on a WIN98 platform once again.

 

This time, security was damn strict on the machine. The entire C:\ drive was masked and could not be  accessed, not even in DOS! Belive me, I tried everything, and nothing was working. Security was so tight  on this comp, it was pretty much a high tech paperweight.

 

This was very frustrating, but I finally found a way around it.

 

1. Step one is again preperation. Make sure that the computer boots from A:\ first by going into the BIOS.

 

Have a Win98 boot disk ready. On this disk have Edit.com and CMOSKILLA, both downloadable from my  site.

 

2. Boot from the Win98 boot disk. Select start computer without CD support. Wait until you get your C:\  prompt, and again, revert to the A:\ prompt. Run CMOS Killa.

 

This will make the computer beep for a second, then it will restart itself.

 

3. Again, boot up the computer from the boot disk and select no CD support. This time at the C:\ promt,  use the DIR command and see if the drives are still masked. If they are, then CMOS Killa didn't help, and  until I think of something new, you're S.O.L.

 

If you can see the all of C:\, then refer to method one for further instructions on what to do with Edit.com

 

OR!!!!!

 

Try some other methods yourself. Now that you can see the drives, you can try running C:\unfool.exe.  You might want to try booting in safe mode now, because it should work.

 

NINJA Technique 1

You can do these things as long as you have access to C:\. Refer to my methods numbers 1 and 2.

 

1.Go into the Autoexec.bat with edit.com and delete FPTSR.exe

 

2.Go into Config.sys with edit.com and delete the line device=fp

 

3.Run REGEDIT.EXE. You have to remove FoolProof from the Registry, too. Use the Regedit search feature  to find references to Fool Proof. Find the Registry backup files and make copies with different names just  in case. Making a mistake with the Registry can cause spectacular messes! Save the registry, and reboot.  FoolProof won’t load. 

_________________

I got these last two from another page...i don't remember

which, but I don't want to make people think I thought of shit

when it really wasn't me. 

 

~ShadoW^ Method 1

1) Boot up in Safe Mode bypasses FoolProof's TSR making it possible for the user to delete the FoolProof's  directory.

 

My comments:

This can be tricky because many times FoolProof blocks hotkeys which allow you to boot in safe mode. I  have even tried turning off the computer halfway through a boot and then starting up again, and still I  couldn't drop into safe mode. So try this if you want, but I haven't had much success with it.

 

2) Holding the <SHIFT> key under Macintosh prevents FoolProof's module from loading.

 

My comments:

I have no experience with FoolProof on Macs so I have no idea if this works.

 

3) Creating a copy of 'command.com' with the name of 'temp.txt' (for example), then opening it up with  wordpad, and saving it as 'c:\windows\help\wordpad.hlp' (make sure you don't convert the file), then  simply click on the HELP feature under the START menu, and you will be dropped into dos.

 

My comments:

This sounds all good and dandy, but I have never seen a system running FoolProof that actually allows the  user to access the help option. So if you have access to help, go ahead and try.

 

4) Use the 'echo' command to overwrite FoolProof's files (i.e. execute the following command 'echo Hi >  c:\fool95\fooltsr.exe', 'fool95' stands for the directory FoolProof is installed in).

 

My comments:

I assume whoever came up with this idea wants this done in DOS or with a batch file. The systems I have  used haven't allowed batch files to be run, and have made it tricky to get into DOS.

 

5) Grab the administrator password by locating it in the swap file crated by Windows 95. You can  accomplish this by simply finding the string 'FOOLPROO', and the string after that will be the administrator  password.

 

My comments:

You will need a hex editor. Check for a link on the site. 

 

~ShadoW^ Method 2

I modified this text to save space. I pretty much just cut it down to the main points. Most of the stuff here  pretains to Windows 3x versions. Take a look and see if you see anything handy.

_____________________________________________________________________

 

All my information pertains directly to versions 3.0 and 3.3 of both the 3.x and 95 versions but should be  good for all early versions if they exist.

 

My first success with breaking FoolProof passwords came by using a hex editor to scan the windows swap  file for anything that might be of interest. In the swap file I found the password in plain text. I was surprised but thought that it was something that would be simply unavoidable and unpredictable. Later  though I used a memory editor on the machine (95 loves it when I do that) and found that FoolProof stores a copy of the user password IN PLAIN TEXT inside its TSR's memory space.

 

To find a FoolProof password, simply search through conventional memory for the string "FOOLPROO" (I  don't knowwhat they did with that last "F") and the next 128 bytes or so should contain two plaintext passwords followed by the hot-key assignment. For some reason FoolProof keeps two passwords on the  machine, the present one and a 'legacy' password (the one you used before you _thought_ it was  changed).  There exist a few memory viewers/editors but it isn't much effort to write something.

 

Getting to a point where you can execute something can be difficult but isn't impossible. I found that it is  more difficult to do this on the win3.x machines because FoolProof isn't compromised by the operating  system it sits on top of; basicly getting a dos prompt is up to you (try file manager if you can). 95 is  easier because it is very simple to convince 95 that it should start up into Safe-Mode and then creating a  shortcut in the StartUp group to your editor and then rebooting the machine (FoolProof doesn't get a  chance to load in safe mode).

 

JohnWayne 

 

MISC Method 1

1. Launch a process viewing application (for example, Microsoft's pviewer) and kill FoolProof's running  VXDs. Foolproof will now be disabled (although it will be loaded again on the next boot)

 

My comments:

Haven't tried it. Again, the machines I have been on have had the security as tight as possible. I don't see  running a proccess viewing application as a plausible option. But go for it if you want.

 

2. To uninstall Foolproof, move all the files from the FoolProof directory (which is '\sss' by default) to a  temporary directory. Be sure to move all the files except the two .VXD files. On the next boot only the  VXDs will be loaded, but Foolproof will be disabled (since the other necessary files will not be in  FoolProof's directory). Now move the FoolProof files back to their original directory, and run Unfool.exe  (which is usually located in the Windows directory).

 

My comments:

Haven't tried this either. Moving files has always been restricted for me too.

 

3. The standard version of FoolProof does not block network file access. So if you have a network (as  most schools do) then depending on the configuration of your account and the network itself, there are  ways around certain aspects of FoolProof. For example, if you are using NetWare (4.11 is what this has  been tested on) and NAL to manage access to network applications, there is a convenient way to get to  browse drives that may be blocked, and to get to the explorer options menu (file types, view hidden files,  etc..). Open your Server Apps folder (or Applications, or whatever your version of NAL calls it, it is the  folder that is created on the desktop by NAL to provide access to NAL applications). Since the Server Apps  folder is actually part of NAL, and therefore considered a network entity, FoolProof won't even attempt  block it. Once it is open, you can view the explorer toolbar, or options menu and browse from there. That  is assuming, of course, that they have been blocked on your system.

 

My comments:

The systems I cracked had blocked network access.

 

4. Rename the executable you wish to run to .SCR extension. FoolProof does not block screen savers, so  the executable can now be launched, masquerading as a screen saver.

 

My comments:

This sounds like it might be plausable. I will try it in the future, but as it stands now, I have not tested  this.

 

5. Run the executable from a network drive

 

My comments:

I couldn't.

 

6. Run Word, and open a shell session using the macro Shell Environ$("COMMAND").

 

My comments:

Sounds money. Haven't tried it. 

 

7. If the workstation is a Novell client, it's possible to hit 'F1' from the login screen, and when the help  screen comes up, select the 'file' menu and then 'open'. Now you can browse the local drives, and rename  FoolProof's directory.

 

My comments:

I didn't work under Novell client, but I am interested to know if this is legit.

 

8. If a Virus Scanning utility is installed, right-click on a folder and select 'Scan for Viruses'. Now select  the 'log' option, and change the location of the log file. Now you can browse around the local drive, again  being able to rename the FoolProof folder.

 

My comments:

This is actually a really good way to go if possible. I tried it on a computer that was running Mcaffe. I  went into the log option and then selected the "browse" option to decide where to place the log text. You  can then see things previously hidden by Foolproof. By hitting F2 while selected on an object, you can  rename it.  So go ahead and try to rename the Foolproof directory or files. My hotkeys (F2) were disabled,  but yours may not be.

 

9. In any application that has a standard file choosing dialog (usually under the 'file', 'open' menu),  browse to the directory containing the desired application (good examples are c:\windows\explorer.exe or  c:\command.com), right click the .exe and choose "Quick View". The program's icon appears in the upper  left had corner of the window - click it and Voila! Your application is running.

 

My comments:

On the machines I cracked, the C: directory was shadowed, therefore when I went into a program's "open" command, opening something from C: was not an option.

 

10. Start a DOS session (by running command.com), and trash the foolproof VXD file by typing: echo hi>  c:\fp95\fpvxd.vxd Restart windows, and a screen will appear saying that c:\fp95\fpvxd.vxd is corrupt. Hit CTRL+ALT+DELETE and when windows will load you will be able to choose which mode to boot from.  Select 'safe mode' and you'll be able to uninstall foolproof (or simply delete the entire foolproof directory).  Alternatively, when in safe mode, just start a DOS session and type: echo hi> c:\fp95\fplw16.exe. Now  you can restart your computer: Foolproof will be disabled.

 

My comments:

I couldn't run command.com, or open in safe mode. This might prove difficult. Also note that this appears  to apply to an early version of Foolproof.  I say this because in later versions the Foolproof directory is  C:\Sss, not C:\fp95.

 

11. Run: c:\Windows\System\msconfig.exe or click on: Start -> Run -> msconfig Now go to the Startup  tab, and uncheck everything that says "FoolProof". Restart, and foolproof will be disabled.

 

My comments:

Sounds old to me (at least versions of Foolproof on which this would work). My "Run" option was gone,  and I couldnt run unauthorized .exe's.

 

12. Reboot with a Win98 boot disk and select the second option (Start without CD-ROM support), type the  command "rename c:\sss\foolstr.exe nfoolstr.exe" where c:\sss is FoolProof's directory, remove boot disk  and restart. FoolProof should not start and you may get an error message. Click start --> find, and type  nfoolstr.exe. Rename it to "foolstr.exe". Find the file unfool.exe and run it. Now do whatever you want!

 

My comments:

I haven't tried this exact method, but I have always found that the first half (using a boot disk) is the best  way to get started. From my experience this looks to be an ideal method as long as you have access to  the Foolproof directory (C:\Sss) from DOS. 

 

MISC Method 2

FoolProof Security is a desktop security application for Windows 95/98/ME. Its purpose is to block users  from accessing all programs, except those which are intended by the administrator. Additionally, it is intended to allow the user to only save files to specific locations (usually the floppy disk drive). FoolProof  Security is usually found in computer labs, or on publicly accessible systems.

 

A vulnerability exsists in FoolProof Security, in that it restricts certain programs to be executed only by  name. By renaming a restricted program, it can be successfuly executed. This vulnerability can be used to sucessfully circumvent the security measures put forth by FoolProof, and even remove it entirely from the  system.

 

The following is an example:

On a system with FoolProof Security installed open an MS-DOS Shell (usually found in Start Menu ->  Programs -> Accessories).

 

['COMMAND.EXE' is not restricted by FoolProof.] At the command prompt issue the 'ftp' command and  open a connection to an ftp server in which you have write access to. ['FTP.EXE' is not restricted by  FoolProof.] Upload the restricted program in which you wish to run. [such as 'deltree', 'xcopy', 'edit',  'fdisk', and 'format'.] Afterwords, download these programs under a different name. [Use names other  than those of restricted programs. Names such as 'tmp001a.exe' work.] You will now be able to use these  programs, just as if they were the restricted equivilant.

 

Side Note: Although you can use this process to use 'regedit', the registry is still locked by FoolProof.

 

Solution:

 

A quick fix, would be the removal of the 'ftp' client (although it will still be possible to download a simple  ftp client that will do the same job.)

 

Additionally, any shortcuts to 'command' should be removed, as this method will not work without it.

 

FoolProof Security can be found at http://www.smartstuff.com.

 

Sincerely,

Bryan A. Hughes 

 

Credits

by K-Shadow <lemon07@yahoo.com>

http://www.amnesia.ftpurl.com/

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