How to implement network Zero Trust Security in OMNeT++
To implement the Zero Trust Security in OMNeT++ encompasses generating a simulation situation that follows to the Zero Trust principles, where every user, network flow, and device is treated as untrusted by default. It means that constantly observing, authorization, and authentication are applied for every access request, regardless of the user’s location in or outside the network. The following procedure is to perform the Zero Trust Security in OMNeT++ with instances.
Step-by-Step Implementations:
- Define the Zero Trust Network Topology
Initially, we describe network topology that contains numerous servers, clients, an authentication and authorization server like AuthZServer, a router, and a security policy engine. It permits us to mimic interactions in the network and apply Zero Trust principles.
network ZeroTrustNetwork
{
submodules:
client1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,100”);
}
client2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
appServer: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,150”);
}
dbServer: StandardHost {
@display(“p=700,150”);
}
authZServer: AuthZServerModule {
@display(“p=500,250”);
}
policyEngine: PolicyEngineModule {
@display(“p=600,250”);
}
firewall: FirewallModule {
@display(“p=300,250”);
}
ids: IDSModule {
@display(“p=400,250”);
}
connections:
client1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
client2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.in++;
firewall.out++ <–> authZServer.in++;
authZServer.out++ <–> policyEngine.in++;
policyEngine.out++ <–> appServer.ethg++;
appServer.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> dbServer.ethg++;
}
- Implement the Firewall Module
A firewall strains traffic and blocks unauthorized access, make sure that all traffic is checked and controlled according to the Zero Trust model.
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: Allow traffic only to specific destinations
if (destination == “192.168.1.100” || destination == “192.168.1.200”) {
return true; // Allow traffic
}
return false; // Block all other traffic
}
- Implement the Authentication and Authorization Server (AuthZServer)
The AuthZServer module is liable for authenticating users and authorizing their access requests depends on policies defined in the Zero Trust framework.
Authentication and Authorization Server Module
// AuthZServerModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include <string>
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class AuthZServerModule : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
bool authenticateAndAuthorize(Packet *packet);
std::string issueToken(const std::string &username);
};
Define_Module(AuthZServerModule);
void AuthZServerModule::initialize()
{
EV << “AuthZ Server Initialized” << endl;
}
void AuthZServerModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {
if (authenticateAndAuthorize(packet)) {
std::string token = issueToken(“validUser”);
EV << “User authenticated and authorized. Issuing token: ” << token << endl;
// Simulate sending token back to client
send(packet, “out”);
} else {
EV << “Authentication or authorization failed. Packet dropped.” << endl;
delete packet;
}
}
}
bool AuthZServerModule::authenticateAndAuthorize(Packet *packet)
{
// Example: Simple authentication and authorization based on packet content
const auto& payload = packet->peekData();
std::string authData(payload->str());
// Simulate authentication and authorization check
if (authData.find(“username=validUser&password=validPass”) != std::string::npos &&
authData.find(“resource=allowedResource”) != std::string::npos) {
return true; // Authentication and authorization successful
}
return false; // Authentication or authorization failed
}
std::string AuthZServerModule::issueToken(const std::string &username)
{
// Example: Simple token generation (in reality, use secure methods)
return “token12345_” + username;
}
- Implement the Policy Engine
The Policy Engine applies security policies and decides whether access should be allowed or denied depends on the context and conditions of the access request.
Policy Engine Module
// PolicyEngineModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include <string>
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class PolicyEngineModule : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
bool evaluatePolicies(Packet *packet, const std::string &token);
};
Define_Module(PolicyEngineModule);
void PolicyEngineModule::initialize()
{
EV << “Policy Engine Initialized” << endl;
}
void PolicyEngineModule::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (Packet *packet = dynamic_cast<Packet *>(msg)) {
const auto& payload = packet->peekData();
std::string token(payload->str());
if (evaluatePolicies(packet, token)) {
EV << “Access granted by Policy Engine.” << endl;
// Process the request
send(packet, “out”);
} else {
EV << “Access denied by Policy Engine. Packet dropped.” << endl;
delete packet;
}
}
}
bool PolicyEngineModule::evaluatePolicies(Packet *packet, const std::string &token)
{
// Example: Evaluate security policies based on the token and context
if (token.find(“token12345_validUser”) != std::string::npos) {
return true; // Policy allows access
}
return false; // Access denied
}
- Implement Continuous Monitoring
It encompasses following network traffic and endpoint behaviour to detect anomalies, potential threats, and policy violations.
Intrusion Detection System (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 detectAnomalies(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)) {
detectAnomalies(packet);
send(msg, “out”);
}
}
void IDSModule::detectAnomalies(Packet *packet)
{
const auto& networkHeader = packet->peekAtFront<Ipv4Header>();
std::string source = networkHeader->getSrcAddress().str();
std::string destination = networkHeader->getDestAddress().str();
// Example: Detect suspicious traffic or policy violations
if (source == “10.0.0.100” && destination != “192.168.1.200”) {
logSecurityEvent(“Suspicious traffic 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
}
- Integrate the Zero Trust Modules
Incorporate the FirewallModule, AuthZServerModule, PolicyEngineModule, and IDSModule into the network to implement Zero Trust Security principles.
network ZeroTrustNetwork
{
submodules:
client1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,100”);
}
client2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=300,150”);
}
appServer: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,150”);
}
dbServer: StandardHost {
@display(“p=700,150”);
}
authZServer: AuthZServerModule {
@display(“p=500,250”);
}
policyEngine: PolicyEngineModule {
@display(“p=600,250”);
}
firewall: FirewallModule {
@display(“p=300,250”);
}
ids: IDSModule {
@display(“p=400,250”);
}
connections:
client1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
client2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> firewall.in++;
firewall.out++ <–> authZServer.in++;
authZServer.out++ <–> policyEngine.in++;
policyEngine.out++ <–> appServer.ethg++;
appServer.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> dbServer.ethg++;
}
- Simulate Zero Trust Operations
Mimic many operations like continuous monitoring, authorization, and authentication to check the robustness of the Zero Trust Security mechanisms.
Zero Trust Operations Simulation Module
// ZeroTrustOperationsSimulationModule.cc
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/applications/tcpapp/TcpAppBase.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class ZeroTrustOperationsSimulationModule : public TcpAppBase
{
protected:
virtual void initialize(int stage) override;
virtual void handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg) override;
void simulateLoginAndAccessRequest();
void simulateUnauthorizedAccess();
};
Define_Module(ZeroTrustOperationsSimulationModule);
void ZeroTrustOperationsSimulationModule::initialize(int stage)
{
TcpAppBase::initialize(stage);
if (stage == inet::INITSTAGE_APPLICATION_LAYER) {
scheduleAt(simTime() + 3, new cMessage(“simulateLoginAndAccessRequest”));
scheduleAt(simTime() + 5, new cMessage(“simulateUnauthorizedAccess”));
}
}
void ZeroTrustOperationsSimulationModule::handleMessageWhenUp(cMessage *msg)
{
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “simulateLoginAndAccessRequest”) == 0) {
simulateLoginAndAccessRequest();
delete msg;
} else if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “simulateUnauthorizedAccess”) == 0) {
simulateUnauthorizedAccess();
delete msg;
} else {
TcpAppBase::handleMessageWhenUp(msg);
}
}
void ZeroTrustOperationsSimulationModule::simulateLoginAndAccessRequest()
{
EV << “Simulating user login and access request…” << endl;
sendRequest(“POST /login HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: authZServer\r\nContent-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded\r\n\r\nusername=validUser&password=validPass&resource=allowedResource”);
sendRequest(“GET /data HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: appServer\r\nAuthorization: Bearer token12345_validUser\r\n\r\n”);
}
void ZeroTrustOperationsSimulationModule::simulateUnauthorizedAccess()
{
EV << “Simulating unauthorized access attempt…” << endl;
sendRequest(“GET /secureData HTTP/1.1\r\nHost: appServer\r\nAuthorization: Bearer invalidToken\r\n\r\n”);
}
- Run the Simulation
In OMNeT++, compile and run the simulation. The AuthZServerModule will manage authentication and authorization, the PolicyEngineModule will apply policies, and the IDSModule will watch for suspicious activities and potential threats.
- Analyse the Results
Verify the OMNeT++ simulation log to observe how the Zero Trust Security components managed the operations. Authenticate that access was allowed or denied based on the policies and that anomalies were identified and logged by the IDS.
- Extend the Zero Trust Features
We can extend this setup by:
- Implementing more sophisticated authentication mechanisms: Use federated identity management or multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Integrating with external security systems: Mimic the integration with Event Management (SIEM) or Endpoint Detection, Security Information and Response (EDR) systems.
- Adding context-aware policies: Execute policies that consider the user’s location, network environment, and device health.
- Simulating real-world scenarios: Experiment the system against potential insider threats, advanced persistent threats (APTs) or lateral movement.
Over this page, we are discussed about the way to approach and execute the Network Zero Trust security in OMNeT++. We will offer complete informations regarding Zero trust security in other tools. Implementation on network Zero Trust Security in OMNeT++ tool are worked by us, get to know more project ideas on this area from our researchers