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How to Implement eavesdropping attack in OMNeT++

To implement an eavesdropping attack in OMNeT++, we have to simulate a situation like the attacker node snoops to the interaction amongst other nodes and should detect and has the potential to analyze the data while transmitted. It can only observe the ongoing communication because the eavesdropping or passive listening does not has the ability to change the data or inserting any traffic in the network. Below instructions will show, how you can set up an eavesdropping attack in OMNeT++:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

  1. Set Up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
  • Make certain that you have installed the OMNeT++ and INET framework and it is properly configured in the system. For the simulation of network protocol, INET offers the essential modules.
  1. Define the Network Topology
  • In a .ned file, we have to build a network topology that contains nodes which is involved in interaction (e.g., client, server) and the attacker node that will eavesdrop on the communication.

Example:

network EavesdroppingNetwork

{

submodules:

client: StandardHost;

server: StandardHost;

router: Router;

eavesdropper: StandardHost;

connections:

client.ethg++ <–> Eth10G <–> router.ethg++;

server.ethg++ <–> Eth10G <–> router.ethg++;

eavesdropper.ethg++ <–> Eth10G <–> router.ethg++;

}

  • The eavesdropper node is linked to the network and will passively observed the traffic amongst the client and server.
  1. Configure the Eavesdropper Node
  • The eavesdropper node should be configured to listen to all traffic on the network. It is accomplished by setting the network interface to promiscuous mode, consenting it to capture all packets on the network, not just those addressed to it.

Option A: Using INET’s Built-In Sniffing Capabilities

  • The INET framework agrees for packet capturing over promiscuous mode.

Example configuration in omnetpp.ini:

*.eavesdropper.interfaceTable.interface[0].promiscuous = true

*.eavesdropper.numApps = 1

*.eavesdropper.app[0].typename = “PacketMonitorApp”

*.eavesdropper.app[0].filter = “*”

  • Across the network, we have to capture all packets that is passed by generating it to enable the eavesdropper node.

Option B: Creating a Custom Eavesdropping Module

  • For more advanced scenarios, you might want to create a custom C++ module that logs or analyzes the packets captured by the eavesdropper node.

Sample C++ code for a custom eavesdropping module:

class EavesdroppingModule : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

};

void EavesdroppingModule::initialize()

{

// Initialization code, if any

}

void EavesdroppingModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket *>(msg);

EV << “Eavesdropped packet: ” << pkt->getFullName() << ” of size ” << pkt->getByteLength() << ” bytes.\n”;

// Further processing or logging of the packet can be done here

delete pkt;  // Discard the packet after processing

}

 

Define_Module(EavesdroppingModule);

  • This module captures and logs packets that are passing over the eavesdropper node.
  1. Configure the Communication Nodes
  • In the network, the client and server nodes can communicate normally by configuring it. The eavesdropper will passively capture this communication.

Example:

*.client.numApps = 1

*.client.app[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”

*.client.app[0].connectAddress = “server”

*.client.app[0].connectPort = 80

*.server.numApps = 1

*.server.app[0].typename = “TcpServerApp”

  • This configuration initiate a simple TCP communication amongst the client and server.
  1. Run the Simulation
  • Compile and run the OMNeT++ simulation. As configured, the eavesdropper node will start capturing and logging network traffic.
  1. Analyze the Results
  • Examine the logs or output from the eavesdropper node, after the simulation is done. We can see the data accumulated from the communication amongst the client and server.
  • For sensitive information, we have to evaluate the captured packets which included login credentials, personal data, or confidential messages.
  1. Enhancements and Variations
  • Advanced Packet Analysis: To perform more details analysis like reconstructing entire sessions, filtering specific types of traffic (e.g., HTTP, FTP), or extracting certain data from the captured packets, we have to expand the eavesdropping module.
  • Stealthy Eavesdropping: Simulate a scenario where the eavesdropper is more complex to detect, for instance: by only capturing a subset of traffic or avoiding certain detection mechanisms.
  • Countermeasures: We have to see how they moderate the impacts of eavesdropping by executing and simulating countermeasures which includes encryption or secure communication protocols.

Example Files

You might create the following files as part of the simulation:

  • EavesdroppingNetwork.ned: state the network topology.
  • omnetpp.ini: Has configuration settings for eavesdropping.
  • EavesdroppingModule.cc: Custom C++ code for the eavesdropping module, if you choose to create one.

This procedure has the comprehensively detail on how to set up the simulation which will guide you to implement the eavesdropping attack in OMNeT++ and we can provide the added information about this approach, if required.

Please feel free to reach out to us for further assistance with project ideas and comparative analysis in this field. Additionally, you can receive implementation and simulation support for eavesdropping attacks using the OMNeT++ tool from the developers at omnet-manual.com.

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