How to Implement 5G Network security in OMNeT++
To implement the 5G network security in OMNeT++, we have to simulate a 5G network which has multiple components like the core network, base stations, and user equipment, whereas incorporating security mechanisms to defend against threats. Because of the difficult architecture, high-speed data transfers and integration of several methods like IoT, edge computing, and network slicing. Follow the process to help you implement 5G network security in OMNeT++.
Step-by-Step Implementation:
- Understand the Components
Before implementation, it’s vital to understand the key components encompasses in 5G network security:
- User Equipment (UE): Devices like smartphones, IoT devices, or any endpoint that links to the 5G network.
- Radio Access Network (RAN): Contains the 5G base stations (gNB) that connect UEs to the core network.
- 5G Core Network (5GC): The central part of the 5G network, managing tasks like authentication, data routing, and service delivery.
- Security Mechanisms: These include encryption, authentication, integrity protection, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and secure communication protocols to guard the 5G infrastructure.
- Threat Actors: Simulate capable threats like attackers attempting to intercept communication, perform DoS attacks, or exploit vulnerabilities in the 5G network.
- Define the 5G Network Topology
Describe a network topology in OMNeT++ that contain UEs, 5G base stations (gNBs), and the 5G core network. Has security components like firewalls, IDS, and secure communication channels.
network FiveGNetwork
{
submodules:
ue1: UserEquipment {
@display(“p=100,150”);
}
ue2: UserEquipment {
@display(“p=100,250”);
}
gnb1: gNodeB {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
gnb2: gNodeB {
@display(“p=300,250”);
}
coreNetwork: FiveGCore {
@display(“p=500,200”);
}
firewall: FirewallModule {
@display(“p=200,100”);
}
ids: IDSModule {
@display(“p=400,100”);
}
attacker: AttackerNode {
@display(“p=600,250”);
}
}
connections:
ue1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> gnb1.ethg++;
ue2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> gnb2.ethg++;
gnb1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.ethg++;
gnb2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.ethg++;
firewall.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> ids.ethg++;
ids.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> coreNetwork.ethg++;
attacker.wlan++ <–> Adhoc80211Nic <–> gnb1.wlan++;
}
- Implement the User Equipment (UE)
The UE donates devices that connect to the 5G network. These devices should have security mechanisms like encryption and authentication to make certain secure communication with the network.
User Equipment Implementation
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/applications/udpapp/UDPBasicApp.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class UserEquipment : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize(int stage) override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void connectToNetwork();
};
Define_Module(UserEquipment);
void UserEquipment::initialize(int stage)
{
cSimpleModule::initialize(stage);
if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {
EV << “User Equipment Initialized” << endl;
scheduleAt(simTime() + uniform(1, 3), new cMessage(“connectToNetwork”));
}
}
void UserEquipment::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “connectToNetwork”) == 0) {
connectToNetwork();
}
delete msg;
}
void UserEquipment::connectToNetwork()
{
// Simulate connection to 5G network
Packet *packet = new Packet(“ConnectionRequestPacket”);
packet->insertAtBack(makeShared<Chunk>(std::vector<int>{1, 2, 3})); // Example data
send(packet, “ethgOut”);
// Schedule next action
scheduleAt(simTime() + uniform(1, 3), new cMessage(“connectToNetwork”));
}
- Implement the 5G Base Station (gNodeB)
The gNodeB is accountable for managing communication amongst UEs and the core network. It should execution security measures to validate UEs and encrypt traffic.
gNodeB Implementation
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include <openssl/evp.h>
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class gNodeB : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void authenticateUE(Packet *packet);
std::string encryptData(const std::string &data);
};
Define_Module(gNodeB);
void gNodeB::initialize()
{
EV << “gNodeB Initialized” << endl;
}
void gNodeB::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {
authenticateUE(packet);
}
delete msg;
}
void gNodeB::authenticateUE(Packet *packet)
{
const auto &payload = packet->peekData();
std::string data = payload->str();
// Encrypt the data before further processing
std::string encryptedData = encryptData(data);
EV << “Authenticating UE and encrypting data: ” << encryptedData << endl;
// Forward processed data to the core network
Packet *processedPacket = new Packet(“AuthenticatedDataPacket”);
processedPacket->insertAtBack(makeShared<Chunk>(encryptedData));
send(processedPacket, “ethgOut”);
}
std::string gNodeB::encryptData(const std::string &data)
{
// Simplified encryption using OpenSSL
unsigned char key[16] = “gnbkey12345678”;
unsigned char iv[16] = “initialvector12”;
EVP_CIPHER_CTX *ctx = EVP_CIPHER_CTX_new();
EVP_EncryptInit_ex(ctx, EVP_aes_128_cbc(), NULL, key, iv);
unsigned char encrypted[1024];
int len;
EVP_EncryptUpdate(ctx, encrypted, &len, (unsigned char*)data.c_str(), data.length());
int ciphertext_len = len;
EVP_EncryptFinal_ex(ctx, encrypted + len, &len);
ciphertext_len += len;
EVP_CIPHER_CTX_free(ctx);
return std::string((char*)encrypted, ciphertext_len);
}
- Implement the 5G Core Network
The 5G Core Network is the central part of the 5G architecture that handles data routing, session management, and other core features. Security measures contain ensuring that only authenticated and validated devices can access the network.
5G Core Network Implementation
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class FiveGCore : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void manageSession(Packet *packet);
void authenticateDevice(const std::string &data);
};
Define_Module(FiveGCore);
void FiveGCore::initialize()
{
EV << “5G Core Network Initialized” << endl;
}
void FiveGCore::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {
manageSession(packet);
}
delete msg;
}
void FiveGCore::manageSession(Packet *packet)
{
const auto &payload = packet->peekData();
std::string data = payload->str();
// Authenticate the device before establishing the session
authenticateDevice(data);
EV << “Managing session in the core network: ” << data << endl;
// Simulate session management (e.g., routing, session creation)
}
void FiveGCore::authenticateDevice(const std::string &data)
{
// Simulate device authentication
EV << “Authenticating device: ” << data << endl;
// Implement authentication logic here
}
- Implement the Firewall Module
The Firewall Module filters traffic to and from the 5G core network and gNodeBs, ensuring only authorized traffic passes through and blocking any suspicious activity.
Firewall Module Implementation
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class FirewallModule : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
bool isAllowed(Packet *packet);
};
Define_Module(FirewallModule);
void FirewallModule::initialize()
{
EV << “Firewall Module Initialized” << endl;
}
void FirewallModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {
if (isAllowed(packet)) {
send(packet, “ethgOut”);
} else {
EV << “Packet dropped by firewall.” << endl;
delete packet;
}
}
}
bool FirewallModule::isAllowed(Packet *packet)
{
// Implement filtering logic (e.g., block specific IPs or patterns)
const auto &payload = packet->peekData();
std::string data = payload->str();
return data.find(“malicious”) == std::string::npos; // Example rule
}
- Implement the IDS Module
Identify any capable intrusions or attacks like data breaches, DoS attacks or illicit access by using the IDS Module that observes network traffic.
IDS Module Implementation
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class IDSModule : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void detectIntrusion(Packet *packet);
};
Define_Module(IDSModule);
void IDSModule::initialize()
{
EV << “IDS Module Initialized” << endl;
}
void IDSModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {
detectIntrusion(packet);
send(packet, “ethgOut”);
}
delete msg;
}
void IDSModule::detectIntrusion(Packet *packet)
{
const auto &payload = packet->peekData();
std::string data = payload->str();
// Implement simple intrusion detection logic
if (data.find(“attack”) != std::string::npos) {
EV << “Intrusion detected! Taking action…” << endl;
// Implement any action needed (e.g., alerting, blocking)
}
}
- Implement the Attacker Node
The Attacker Node imitates adversarial behavior like trying to intercept communication, launch a DoS attack, or exploit weakness in the 5G network.
Attacker Node Implementation
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/applications/tcpapp/TcpAppBase.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class AttackerNode : public TcpAppBase
{
protected:
virtual void initialize(int stage) override;
virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;
void launchDoSAttack();
void launchInterception();
};
Define_Module(AttackerNode);
void AttackerNode::initialize(int stage)
{
TcpAppBase::initialize(stage);
if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {
scheduleAt(simTime() + 2, new cMessage(“launchDoSAttack”));
scheduleAt(simTime() + 5, new cMessage(“launchInterception”));
}
}
void AttackerNode::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)
{
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “launchDoSAttack”) == 0) {
launchDoSAttack();
delete msg;
} else if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “launchInterception”) == 0) {
launchInterception();
delete msg;
} else {
TcpAppBase::handleMessageWhenUp(msg);
}
}
void AttackerNode::launchDoSAttack()
{
EV << “Launching DoS attack on gNodeB…” << endl;
for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
Packet *packet = new Packet(“DoSPacket”);
sendToUDP(packet, localPort, Ipv4AddressResolver().resolve(“gnb1”), 5000);
}
}
void AttackerNode::launchInterception()
{
EV << “Launching interception attempt…” << endl;
// Send a packet to intercept communication between UE and gNodeB
Packet *packet = new Packet(“InterceptionPacket”);
packet->insertAtBack(makeShared<Chunk>(std::vector<int>{999, 999, 999})); // Example malicious data
sendToUDP(packet, localPort, Ipv4AddressResolver().resolve(“gnb1”), 5000);
}
- Integrate All Components into the 5G Network Security Simulation
Generate the comprehensive 5G network security simulation by integrating the UEs, gNodeBs, 5G core network, firewall, IDS, and attacker node into the network.
network FiveGNetwork
{
submodules:
ue1: UserEquipment {
@display(“p=100,150”);
}
ue2: UserEquipment {
@display(“p=100,250”);
}
gnb1: gNodeB {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
gnb2: gNodeB {
@display(“p=300,250”);
}
coreNetwork: FiveGCore {
@display(“p=500,200”);
}
firewall: FirewallModule {
@display(“p=200,100”);
}
ids: IDSModule {
@display(“p=400,100”);
}
attacker: AttackerNode {
@display(“p=600,250”);
}
}
connections:
ue1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> gnb1.ethg++;
ue2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> gnb2.ethg++;
gnb1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.ethg++;
gnb2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.ethg++;
firewall.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> ids.ethg++;
ids.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> coreNetwork.ethg++;
attacker.wlan++ <–> Adhoc80211Nic <–> gnb1.wlan++;
}
- Run the Simulation
Compile and run the simulation in OMNeT++. The network should securely manages UE connections, data routing, and session management while detecting and mitigating any adversarial activities based on the accomplished functionality.
- Analyze the Results
Evaluate the OMNeT++ simulation log to monitor how the network manges UE connections, data routing, and identified intrusions. Certify that:
- UEs are authenticated and securely linked to the network.
- Data is securely routed via the gNodeBs and core network.
- Intrusions and attacks are detected and mitigated.
- Extend the 5G Network Security Simulation
You can extend this setup by:
- Implementing more advanced security mechanisms: Contains methods like network slicing security, secure handovers, and radical encryption techniques.
- Simulating additional threats: Has advanced persistent threats (APTs), man-in-the-middle attacks, or alerting storms.
- Adding monitoring and logging: Execute logging mechanisms to find network activity, security events, and performance metrics.
- Integrating with IoT and edge computing: Simulate 5G network security in environments with IoT devices and edge computing nodes.
This process has all the details which is required to know about the implementation of 5G network security and their simulation process and how to use their security mechanisms in OMNeT++ and if you need any details regarding this approach, we will offer it.
Keep in contact with omnet-manual.com; we can assist you with networking comparison analysis and 5G network security implementation in the omnet++ tool. Contact us for optimal outcomes.