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How to implement password sniffing attacks in OMNeT++

To implement a password sniffing attack in OMNeT++ has needs to emulate a scenario where an attacker passively observes the network traffic to capture unencrypted login credentials transferred over the network and this type of attack is common in networks where sensitive information like usernames and passwords, is sent without encryption. The given below are the procedures on how to implement the password sniffing attack in OMNeT++ using the INET framework:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

  1. Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
  • Make sure that OMNeT++ and the INET framework are installed and correctly configured. The INET framework delivers the essential modules for mimicking the network protocols that will be used to model the password sniffing attack.
  1. Define the Network Topology
  • Generate a network topology in a .ned file that contains a client, server, router, and an attacker node. The attacker node will attempt to sniff the passwords being transmitted among the client and the server.

Example:

network PasswordSniffingNetwork

{

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++;

}

  • The client and server nodes denote the liable communication endpoints, while the attacker node is positioned to sniff the traffic passing through the network.
  1. Configure the Attacker Node for Packet Sniffing
  • The attacker node should be configured to work in promiscuous mode that permit it to capture all network traffic, not just the packets addressed to it.

Option A: Using INET’s Built-In Sniffing Capabilities

  • The INET framework allows nodes to observe packets using the promiscuous mode.

Example configuration in omnetpp.ini:

*.attacker.interfaceTable.interface[0].promiscuous = true

*.attacker.numApps = 1

*.attacker.app[0].typename = “PacketMonitorApp”

*.attacker.app[0].filter = “tcp”  # Capture only TCP packets, where credentials might be transmitted

  • This configuration enables the attacker node to capture all TCP packets passing through the network.

Option B: Creating a Custom Sniffing Module

  • We need to generate a custom module that logs or processes the captured packets to extract potential passwords.

Example C++ code for a custom password sniffing module:

class PasswordSniffer : public cSimpleModule

{

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

};

void PasswordSniffer::initialize()

{

// Initialization code, if any

}

void PasswordSniffer::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket *>(msg);

EV << “Captured packet: ” << pkt->getFullName() << ” of size ” << pkt->getByteLength() << ” bytes.\n”;

// Simulate extraction of credentials from the packet

const char *data = pkt->getByteArray().getData();

std::string packetData(data, pkt->getByteLength());

if (packetData.find(“password”) != std::string::npos) {

EV << “Password detected in packet: ” << packetData << “\n”;

}

delete pkt;  // Discard the packet after processing

}

Define_Module(PasswordSniffer);

  • This module captures and logs packets, searching for the presence of the keyword “password” to mimic extracting credentials.
  1. Configure the Client and Server Nodes
  • The client and server nodes should be configured to interact normally like sending login credentials over the network. For demonstration purposes, this communication can be unencrypted.

Example:

*.client.numApps = 1

*.client.app[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”

*.client.app[0].connectAddress = “server”

*.client.app[0].connectPort = 80

*.client.app[0].requestData = “LOGIN username password123\r\n”

*.server.numApps = 1

*.server.app[0].typename = “TcpServerApp”

  • The client sends a basic login request containing a username and password to the server.
  1. Run the Simulation
  • Compile and run your OMNeT++ simulation. The attacker node will initiate capturing and logging network traffic as configured, and we need to monitor if it successfully classify the password.
  1. Analyze the Results
  • Use OMNeT++’s tools to evaluate the captured packets. We concentrate on whether the attacker node successfully captured the login credentials being transmitted among the client and server.
  1. Enhancements and Variations
  • Encrypted Communication: Extend the simulation by enabling encryption on the client-server communication to investigate how encryption prevents password sniffing.
  • Advanced Sniffing: Modify the sniffer to capture more complex protocols or multiple kinds of sensitive data.
  • Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Execute and validate an IDS in the network to classify and respond to sniffing activities.

Example Files

We need to generate the following files as part of simulation:

  • PasswordSniffingNetwork.ned: Describes the network topology.
  • omnetpp.ini: Contains configuration settings for the password sniffing attack.
  • PasswordSniffer.cc: Custom C++ code for the password sniffing module.

Here, we had seen the basic implementation on how the password sniffing attacks will perform in OMNeT++ tool. Additional specific details about password sniffing also provided. Our team assist you with implementing password sniffing attacks using the OMNeT++ tool. Share your details with us, and we will offer you comprehensive guidance. Connect with our developers to explore the best simulation techniques and project ideas in this field.We also assist you in comparison analysis for your projects.

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