How to Implement Network Ransomware Target in OMNeT++
To implement a ransomware attack scenario in OMNeT++ has encompasses to emulate the network environment where one or more nodes become targets of a ransomware attack and this mimic can support to study the spread of ransomware and its effect on network operations, and their efficiency of numerous defence mechanisms. The given below are the procedures on how to emulate the ransomware attack targeting a network in OMNeT++ using the INET framework:
Step-by-Step Implementation:
- Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
- Install OMNeT++: Make sure OMNeT++ is installed and configured on system.
- Install INET Framework: Download and install the INET framework that delivers models for network protocols and security simulations.
- Define the Network Topology
Generate a network topology with multiple nodes, some of which will be targeted by the ransomware attack.
Example NED File (RansomwareNetwork.ned):
package mynetwork;
import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;
import inet.node.inet.Router;
network RansomwareNetwork
{
parameters:
int numNodes = default(5); // Number of nodes in the network
submodules:
node[numNodes]: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,100;is=square,red”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=300,200”);
}
connections allowunconnected:
for i = 0..numNodes-1 {
node[i].ethg++ <–> ethernetLine <–> router.ethg++;
}
}
In this example:
- node[]: It denotes multiple network devices like computers, servers that can be targeted by ransomware.
- router: Acts as a central router to handle interaction among nodes.
- Create a Ransomware Simulation Protocol
We can generate a custom protocol that emulates the behaviour of ransomware. This protocol will target the particular nodes that mimic the encryption of files, and possibly spread to other nodes.
Example: Ransomware Protocol (RansomwareProtocol.ned)
package mynetwork;
import inet.applications.base.ApplicationBase;
simple RansomwareProtocol extends ApplicationBase
{
gates:
input upperLayerIn;
output upperLayerOut;
input lowerLayerIn;
output lowerLayerOut;
}
RansomwareProtocol.cc (Basic Implementation)
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/applications/base/ApplicationBase.h”
#include <string>
#include <fstream>
Define_Module(RansomwareProtocol);
void RansomwareProtocol::initialize(int stage) {
ApplicationBase::initialize(stage);
if (stage == INITSTAGE_LOCAL) {
ransomwareTimer = new cMessage(“ransomwareTimer”);
scheduleAt(simTime() + par(“startDelay”).doubleValue(), ransomwareTimer);
targetFiles = par(“targetFiles”).stringValue();
}
}
void RansomwareProtocol::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) {
if (msg == ransomwareTimer) {
executeRansomware();
} else if (msg->getArrivalGate() == lowerLayerIn) {
handleIncomingMessage(msg);
}
}
void RansomwareProtocol::executeRansomware() {
// Simulate file encryption by writing to a log
EV << “Ransomware attack started on node ” << getParentModule()->getFullName() << “\n”;
std::ofstream logFile;
logFile.open(“ransomware_log.txt”, std::ios_base::app);
logFile << “Node ” << getParentModule()->getFullName() << ” – Files encrypted: ” << targetFiles << “\n”;
logFile.close();
// Optionally, send messages to other nodes to simulate ransomware spread
for (int i = 0; i < gateSize(“lowerLayerOut”); i++) {
cMessage *spreadMsg = new cMessage(“RansomwareSpread”);
send(spreadMsg, “lowerLayerOut”, i);
}
}
void RansomwareProtocol::handleIncomingMessage(cMessage *msg) {
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “RansomwareSpread”) == 0) {
EV << “Ransomware spread to node ” << getParentModule()->getFullName() << “\n”;
executeRansomware(); // Trigger the ransomware on this node
}
delete msg;
}
void RansomwareProtocol::finish() {
cancelAndDelete(ransomwareTimer);
}
In this example:
- ransomwareTimer: A timer to delay the start of the ransomware attack.
- executeRansomware(): To replicate the ransomware attack by “encrypting” files (logging the attack).
- handleIncomingMessage(): To manages an incoming messages, like those simulating the spread of ransomware.
- Configure the Simulation
Setup the simulation in the omnetpp.ini file to use the custom ransomware protocol.
Example Configuration in omnetpp.ini:
network = RansomwareNetwork
**.node[*].applications[0].typename = “RansomwareProtocol”
**.node[*].applications[0].startDelay = 10s # Delay before ransomware starts
**.node[*].applications[0].targetFiles = “documents,images,videos”
- Run the Simulation
Run the simulation and monitor how the ransomware attack unfolds. The logs should demonstrate that nodes are targeted, when the attack initiates, and how it spreads across the network.
- Analyse the Impact
After running the simulation, evaluate the impact of the ransomware attack:
- Spread of Infection: Monitor how quickly the ransomware spreads across the network.
- Targeted Nodes: Calssify which nodes were targeted and when.
- Potential Countermeasures: Consider how network defences could prevent the attack.
- Extend the Ransomware Protocol
We can expand the simple ransomware simulation to consider more advanced features, such as:
- Encryption and Decryption: To emulate actual file encryption and the potential for decryption after ransom payment.
- Detection and Response: Execute a detection mechanism that activates a response to separate the infected nodes or mitigate the spread.
- Ransom Negotiation: To emulate the communication where the attacker demands a ransom and the target node decides whether to pay.
Example: Implementing a Basic Detection Mechanism
void RansomwareProtocol::handleIncomingMessage(cMessage *msg) {
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “RansomwareSpread”) == 0) {
EV << “Ransomware spread to node ” << getParentModule()->getFullName() << “\n”;
if (detectRansomware()) {
EV << “Ransomware detected! Initiating containment.\n”;
// Simulate containment action (e.g., isolating the node)
} else {
executeRansomware(); // Trigger the ransomware on this node
}
}
delete msg;
}
bool RansomwareProtocol::detectRansomware() {
// Implement a simple detection mechanism (e.g., based on incoming message pattern)
return uniform(0, 1) < 0.5; // 50% chance to detect the ransomware
}
- Document and Report Findings
After completing the replications, document the ransomware attack scenarios to validate, the outcomes obtained, and any countermeasures was executed and this will help in understanding the dynamics of ransomware attacks and the efficiency of numerous defence strategies.
In this conclusion, we had demonstrate how to identify the ransomware attacks in the network scenario using the OMNeT++ tool and also we deliver additional specific information on how the ransomeware attacks will simulate in other scenario.
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