How to Implement masquerade attack in OMNeT++

To implement the masquerade attack in OMNeT++, we have to simulate an attacker that has an entity where it gets the unauthorized access the network’s resources or data. In OMNeT++, it can be accomplished by the attacker enacts the identity (like IP address or MAC address) of a legal node to bypass security measures or integrate communications.

Here’s the implementation of a masquerade attack in OMNeT++ using the INET framework:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

1. Set Up OMNeT++ and INET Framework

• Make sure to install both OMNeT++ and the INET framework and verify it is properly configured. Simulate network protocols that will helpful to execute the masquerade attack using the modules which are provided by INET.

2. Define the Network Topology

• State the network topology by generating a .ned file that contains a client, server, router, and an attacker node. The attacker will attempt to imitate the client to communicate with the server.

Example:

network MasqueradeAttackNetwork

{

submodules:

client: StandardHost;

server: StandardHost;

router: Router;

attacker: StandardHost;

connections:

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

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

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

}

• When the client tries to communicate with the server, the attacker node will try to masquerade.

3. Configure the Attacker Node for Masquerading

• The attacker node needs to be configured to satire the identity of the client node. We have to set the MAC address or IP address of the attacker to match the client’s address.

Option A: IP Address Spoofing

• We have to use same IP Address as the legal client to configure the attacker..

Example configuration in omnetpp.ini:

*.attacker.networkLayer.ip.typename = “Ipv4”

*.attacker.networkLayer.ip.interfaceTable.interface[0].address = “10.0.0.1”  // Spoofed IP (same as client)

*.attacker.networkLayer.ip.interfaceTable.interface[0].netmask = “255.255.255.0”

*.client.networkLayer.ip.interfaceTable.interface[0].address = “10.0.0.1”

*.client.networkLayer.ip.interfaceTable.interface[0].netmask = “255.255.255.0”

Option B: MAC Address Spoofing

• Configure the attacker to use the same MAC address as the legitimate client.

Example:

*.attacker.eth[0].macAddress = “00:11:22:33:44:55”  // Spoofed MAC (same as client)

*.client.eth[0].macAddress = “00:11:22:33:44:55”

Option C: Using Custom Application for Masquerading

• On the attacker node, we can create a custom application that sends packets with spoofed headers, simulating a masquerade attack.

Example C++ code for a simple masquerade application:

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”

#include “inet/networklayer/contract/ipv4/Ipv4Header_m.h”

#include “inet/transportlayer/contract/udp/UdpHeader_m.h”

#include “inet/applications/base/ApplicationPacket_m.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class MasqueradeApp : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

void sendSpoofedPacket();

};

void MasqueradeApp::initialize()

{

// Schedule the first packet to be sent

scheduleAt(simTime() + par(“startTime”), new cMessage(“sendSpoofedPacket”));

}

void MasqueradeApp::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

if (msg->isSelfMessage()) {

sendSpoofedPacket();

scheduleAt(simTime() + par(“interval”), msg);  // Continuously send spoofed packets

} else {

delete msg;

}

}

void MasqueradeApp::sendSpoofedPacket()

{

auto packet = new Packet(“SpoofedPacket”);

// Create the IP header with spoofed source address

auto ipv4Header = makeShared<Ipv4Header>();

ipv4Header->setSourceAddress(Ipv4Address(“10.0.0.1”));  // Spoofed IP (same as client)

ipv4Header->setDestinationAddress(Ipv4Address(“10.0.0.2”));  // Server IP

ipv4Header->setTimeToLive(64);

packet->insertAtFront(ipv4Header);

// Add UDP header and payload

auto udpHeader = makeShared<UdpHeader>();

udpHeader->setSourcePort(1234);

udpHeader->setDestinationPort(5000);

udpHeader->setChunkLength(B(8));

packet->insertAtBack(udpHeader);

auto payload = makeShared<ApplicationPacket>();

payload->setChunkLength(B(128));

packet->insertAtBack(payload);

send(packet, “out”);

}

 

Define_Module(MasqueradeApp);

• This module simulates the creation and sending of packets with a deceived IP address.

4. Configure the Server Node

• To accept communication from the client, the server node should be configured. During the masquerade attack, it will be tricked into communicating with the attacker, believing it is the legitimate client.

Example:

*.server.numApps = 1

*.server.app[0].typename = “UdpSink”

*.server.app[0].localPort = 5000

• The server listens on a certain port and processes incoming traffic.

5. Run the Simulation

• Compile and run the OMNeT++ simulation. The attacker node will begin sending hoaxed packets to the server, attempting to imitate the client.

6. Analyze the Results

• To observe the impact of the masquerade attack, we have to use OMNeT++’s analysis tools. Focus on how the server responds to the attacker’s spoofed packets and whether it can differentiate amongst legitimate and illegitimate traffic.
• Monitor if the attacker magnificently masquerades as the client and the consequences of this on network communication.

7. Enhancements and Variations

• Defensive Mechanisms: Execute and examine defense mechanisms like MAC/IP address filtering, intrusion detection systems (IDS), or authentication to mitigate the masquerade attack.
• Real-Time Detection: Simulate a scenario where the server or a security node detects the attack and takes action like blocking the attacker or sending alerts.
• Advanced Masquerading: Simulate more sophisticated masquerade attacks like takeover an existing session or using ARP spoofing to reroute the traffic.

Example Files

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

• MasqueradeAttackNetwork.ned: State the network topology.
• omnetpp.ini: Has configuration settings for the masquerade attack simulation.
• MasqueradeApp.cc: Custom C++ code for the masquerade attack application.

At the end of this demonstration, you can understand the entire details on how to implement the masquerade attack in the OMNeT++ with the help of INET framework. If needed, we will provide the extra details about this attack.

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