How to Implement Network Application Security in OMNeT++
To implement the network application security in OMNeT++ encompasses set up a simulation situation where we can shield applications running on a network versus several threats, like denial of service (DoS), data breaches, and unauthorized access. The following is a step-by-step procedure on how to implement network application security in OMNeT++ with examples.
Step-by-Step Implementations:
- Define the Network Topology
Initially, describe an elementary network topology that contains a server, a router, clients, and several security components such as a firewall, an intrusion detection system (IDS), and an authentication server.
network AppSecurityNetwork
{
submodules:
client1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,100”);
}
client2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
server: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,150”);
}
firewall: FirewallModule {
@display(“p=300,250”);
}
ids: IDSModule {
@display(“p=400,250”);
}
authServer: AuthServerModule {
@display(“p=500,250”);
}
connections:
client1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
client2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.in++;
firewall.out++ <–> ids.in++;
ids.out++ <–> server.ethg++;
authServer.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> server.ethg++;
}
- Implement a Firewall Module
A firewall is critical for refining traffic and blocking unauthorized access to network applications.
Firewall Module
// FirewallModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include “inet/networklayer/ipv4/Ipv4Header_m.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, “out”);
} else {
EV << “Packet dropped by firewall.” << endl;
delete packet;
}
}
}
bool FirewallModule::isAllowed(Packet *packet)
{
const auto& networkHeader = packet->peekAtFront<Ipv4Header>();
std::string source = networkHeader->getSrcAddress().str();
std::string destination = networkHeader->getDestAddress().str();
// Example: Block traffic from specific IP addresses or to specific ports
if (source == “192.168.1.100” || destination == “192.168.1.200”) {
return false; // Block traffic
}
return true; // Allow all other traffic
}
- Implement an Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
An IDS observes network traffic for doubtful activities, like unauthorized access attempts or potential attacks on network applications.
IDS Module
// IDSModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include “inet/networklayer/ipv4/Ipv4Header_m.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);
void logSecurityEvent(const std::string &event);
};
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(msg, “out”);
}
}
void IDSModule::detectIntrusion(Packet *packet)
{
const auto& networkHeader = packet->peekAtFront<Ipv4Header>();
std::string source = networkHeader->getSrcAddress().str();
std::string destination = networkHeader->getDestAddress().str();
// Example: Detect unauthorized access attempts
if (source == “10.0.0.100” && destination == “192.168.1.200”) {
logSecurityEvent(“Unauthorized access attempt detected from ” + source + ” to ” + destination);
}
// Example: Detect potential DDoS attack by monitoring high traffic volume
if (packet->getByteLength() > 1000) { // Threshold for suspicious packet size
logSecurityEvent(“Potential DDoS attack detected from ” + source);
}
}
void IDSModule::logSecurityEvent(const std::string &event)
{
EV << “IDS Event: ” << event << endl;
// Additional logging to files or alerts can be implemented here
}
- Implement an Authentication Server
An authentication server make certain that only official users can access the network applications by validating their credentials.
Authentication Server Module
// AuthServerModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class AuthServerModule : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
bool authenticateClient(Packet *packet);
};
Define_Module(AuthServerModule);
void AuthServerModule::initialize()
{
EV << “Authentication Server Initialized” << endl;
}
void AuthServerModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {
if (authenticateClient(packet)) {
send(packet, “out”);
} else {
EV << “Authentication failed. Packet dropped.” << endl;
delete packet;
}
}
}
bool AuthServerModule::authenticateClient(Packet *packet)
{
// Example: Simple authentication based on packet content
const auto& payload = packet->peekData();
std::string authData(payload->str());
// Simulate authentication check (e.g., checking username/password)
if (authData.find(“Auth: validUser”) != std::string::npos) {
return true; // Authentication successful
}
return false; // Authentication failed
}
- Integrate the Security Modules
Combine the FirewallModule, IDSModule, and AuthServerModule into the network to protect applications running on the server.
network AppSecurityNetwork
{
submodules:
client1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,100”);
}
client2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
server: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,150”);
}
firewall: FirewallModule {
@display(“p=300,250”);
}
ids: IDSModule {
@display(“p=400,250”);
}
authServer: AuthServerModule {
@display(“p=500,250”);
}
connections:
client1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
client2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.in++;
firewall.out++ <–> ids.in++;
ids.out++ <–> server.ethg++;
authServer.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> server.ethg++;
}
- Simulate Attacks and Security Threats
Mimic numerous attacks and security threats, like DDoS attacks, unauthorized access, and attempts to bypass authentication, to verify the robustness of the security mechanisms.
Attack Simulation Module
// AttackSimulationModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/applications/tcpapp/TcpAppBase.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class AttackSimulationModule : public TcpAppBase
{
protected:
virtual void initialize(int stage) override;
virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;
void simulateUnauthorizedAccess();
void simulateDDoSAttack();
void simulateAuthBypass();
};
Define_Module(AttackSimulationModule);
void AttackSimulationModule::initialize(int stage)
{
TcpAppBase::initialize(stage);
if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {
scheduleAt(simTime() + 3, new cMessage(“unauthorizedAccess”));
scheduleAt(simTime() + 5, new cMessage(“ddosAttack”));
scheduleAt(simTime() + 7, new cMessage(“authBypass”));
}
}
void AttackSimulationModule::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)
{
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “unauthorizedAccess”) == 0) {
simulateUnauthorizedAccess();
delete msg;
} else if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “ddosAttack”) == 0) {
simulateDDoSAttack();
delete msg;
} else if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “authBypass”) == 0) {
simulateAuthBypass();
delete msg;
} else {
TcpAppBase::handleMessageWhenUp(msg);
}
}
void AttackSimulationModule::simulateUnauthorizedAccess()
{
EV << “Simulating unauthorized access attempt…” << endl;
sendRequest(“GET /admin HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: server\r\n\r\n”);
}
void AttackSimulationModule::simulateDDoSAttack()
{
EV << “Simulating DDoS attack…” << endl;
for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
sendRequest(“GET / HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: server\r\n\r\n”);
}
}
void AttackSimulationModule::simulateAuthBypass()
{
EV << “Simulating authentication bypass attempt…” << endl;
sendRequest(“GET /secureData HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: server\r\nAuth: invalidUser\r\n\r\n”);
}
- Run the Simulation
Compile and run the simulation in OMNeT++. The FirewallModule will sieve traffic, the IDSModule will observe for suspicious activities, and the AuthServerModule will authenticate clients before permitting access to network applications.
- Analyse the Results
Verify the OMNeT++ simulation log to get how the security modules react to the simulated attacks. Analyse the logs to verify whether the firewall successfully blocked unauthorized traffic, whether the IDS detected intrusions, and whether the authentication server appropriately permitted or rejected access.
- Extend the Security Features
We can extend this basic setup by:
- Implementing more sophisticated IDS rules: Identify further difficult attacks like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS).
- Using advanced encryption techniques: Protect the communication among clients and the server.
- Simulating insider threats: Experiment the system against attacks making from within the network.
- Integrating with external security systems: Mimic the integration of the network with an Event Management (SIEM) system and Security Information
Hence, we had delivered informative details, procedure, and examples to execute the Network Application Security in OMNeT++. Supplementary details will be provided according to your requests. Stay in touch with us if you want to implement Network Application Security in OMNeT++tool for your projects. We will supply you with new assistance and service.