How to Implement Network Penetration Testing in OMNeT++
To implement the Network Penetration Testing in OMNeT++ required us to examine the security position of the network by simulating several attack vectors. Provided sample will help you implement a simple set up for simulating penetration activities such as port scanning, weakness and logging the results. Follow the steps below:
Step-by-Step Implementation:
- Define the Network Topology
Start by generating a basic network topology using the NED language. In this instance, we state a network allied with client (acts like an attacker), router and a server (target).
network PenetrationTestingNetwork
{
submodules:
attacker: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,150”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
server: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,150”);
}
connections:
attacker.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> server.ethg++;
}
- Create a Port Scanning Module
Detect the open ports on the target server by building a module which mimics port scanning that is regularly the first step in penetration testing.
// PortScanner.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/applications/tcpapp/TcpAppBase.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class PortScanner : public TcpAppBase
{
protected:
virtual void initialize(int stage) override;
virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;
void performPortScan();
void handleScanResult(int port, bool open);
};
Define_Module(PortScanner);
void PortScanner::initialize(int stage)
{
TcpAppBase::initialize(stage);
if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {
performPortScan();
}
}
void PortScanner::performPortScan()
{
for (int port = 1; port <= 1024; port++) {
// Simulate sending a SYN packet to each port
cMessage *msg = new cMessage(“portScan”);
msg->setKind(port);
scheduleAt(simTime() + 0.1 * port, msg);
}
}
void PortScanner::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)
{
if (msg->isSelfMessage()) {
int port = msg->getKind();
bool open = (port == 80 || port == 22); // Example: Port 80 (HTTP) and 22 (SSH) are open
handleScanResult(port, open);
delete msg;
} else {
TcpAppBase::handleMessageWhenUp(msg);
}
}
void PortScanner::handleScanResult(int port, bool open)
{
if (open) {
EV << “Port ” << port << ” is open.” << endl;
// You could store these results for further exploitation
} else {
EV << “Port ” << port << ” is closed.” << endl;
}
}
- Simulate Exploitation of Vulnerabilities
We can simulate the exploitation of vulnerabilities allied with open ports only after identifying those ports. For example, if port 80 (HTTP) is open, you might simulate a simple HTTP exploit.
// ExploitModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/applications/tcpapp/TcpAppBase.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class ExploitModule : public TcpAppBase
{
protected:
virtual void initialize(int stage) override;
virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;
void exploitHttpVulnerability();
};
Define_Module(ExploitModule);
void ExploitModule::initialize(int stage)
{
TcpAppBase::initialize(stage);
if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {
// Schedule the exploitation attempt
scheduleAt(simTime() + 2, new cMessage(“exploitHttp”));
}
}
void ExploitModule::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)
{
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “exploitHttp”) == 0) {
exploitHttpVulnerability();
delete msg;
} else {
TcpAppBase::handleMessageWhenUp(msg);
}
}
void ExploitModule::exploitHttpVulnerability()
{
// Simulate a basic HTTP vulnerability exploit
EV << “Attempting to exploit HTTP vulnerability on server…” << endl;
// Example: If the server is running an outdated HTTP server, simulate success
bool success = true; // Assume the exploit is successful
if (success) {
EV << “Exploit successful! Gained unauthorized access to the server.” << endl;
// Further actions could include data exfiltration, privilege escalation, etc.
} else {
EV << “Exploit failed.” << endl;
}
}
- Log and Analyze Results
Analyze the efficiency of the assessment and the security of the network by penetrating the evaluation that is supported by logging.
// LoggingModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
using namespace omnetpp;
class LoggingModule : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
void logEvent(const std::string &event);
};
Define_Module(LoggingModule);
void LoggingModule::initialize()
{
logEvent(“Penetration test started.”);
}
void LoggingModule::logEvent(const std::string &event)
{
EV << “Log: ” << event << endl;
// Optionally, write to a file or database for persistent logging
}
- Integrate Modules in the Network
Integrate the PortScanner, ExploitModule, and LoggingModule within the network to implement a complete penetration test.
network PenetrationTestingNetwork
{
submodules:
attacker: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,150”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
server: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,150”);
}
portScanner: PortScanner {
@display(“p=100,100”);
}
exploit: ExploitModule {
@display(“p=100,50”);
}
logger: LoggingModule {
@display(“p=300,100”);
}
connections:
attacker.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> server.ethg++;
portScanner.in++ <–> attacker.ethg++;
portScanner.out++ <–> router.ethg++;
exploit.in++ <–> attacker.ethg++;
exploit.out++ <–> router.ethg++;
gates:
in, out;
}
- Run the Simulation
Compile and run the simulation in OMNeT++. The port scanner will verify for open ports, and the exploit module will attempt to exploit weakness on the open ports. The logging module will capture and display the penetration testing events.
- Analyze the Results
Check the OMNeT++ simulation log to monitor the results of the penetration test. You should see which ports were open, if the exploits were successful, and the logs produced by the testing process.
- Extend the Penetration Testing Scenarios
You can expand this sample by:
- Adding more complex attack scenarios: Has SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), or more sophisticated network attacks.
- Simulating defensive responses: Integrate IDS/IPS modules that replied to identify penetration attempts.
- Automating remediation actions: Implement modules that inevitably patch vulnerabilities or block offending IP addresses depends on the penetration testing results.
This process has covered the whole concept which is vital to know before implementing the Penetration Testing in the network using OMNeT++ environment. We will offer the additional record regarding this topology, if needed. If you want to do Network Penetration Testing in OMNeT++ for your projects, hit us up! We’ve got fresh tips and services to help you out. Just send us your project details, and we’ll analyze everything to give you the best performance results.