How to implement ransomware attack in OMNeT++
To implementing a ransomware attack in OMNeT++ has needs to emulate the scenario where an attacker node compromises a target system, encodes its information, and demands a ransom for decryption. Since the OMNeT++ is usually a network simulator not a cybersecurity tool, we need to mimic the network characteristics and effects of a ransomware attack like the spread of the attack and interact among the attacker and the compromised system, and the effects on the network. Below are the procedures on how to implement the ransomware attack scenario in OMNeT++:
Step-by-Step Implementation:
- Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
- Make sure that OMNeT++ and the INET framework are installed and properly configured. The INET framework delivers modules for mimicking network protocols, which can be used to model the network features of a ransomware attack.
- Define the Network Topology
- Generate a network topology in a .ned file that contains a set of client nodes, a server, and an attacker node. The attacker will attempt to spread the ransomware to the clients or server.
Example:
network RansomwareAttackNetwork
{
submodules:
client1: StandardHost;
client2: StandardHost;
server: StandardHost;
router: Router;
attacker: StandardHost;
connections:
client1.ethg++ <–> Eth10G <–> router.ethg++;
client2.ethg++ <–> Eth10G <–> router.ethg++;
attacker.ethg++ <–> Eth10G <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> Eth10G <–> server.ethg++;
}
- The attacker node is connected to the network and will attempt to spread the ransomware to the client1, client2, or server nodes.
- Create a Custom Ransomware Attack Module
- To simulate the ransomware attack, generate a custom C++ module that implements the features of ransomware, like encrypting files and communicating with the attacker for decryption keys.
Example C++ code for a custom ransomware attack module:
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include “inet/applications/base/ApplicationPacket_m.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class RansomwareAttack : public cSimpleModule
{
private:
bool infected;
cMessage *encryptionEvent;
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void encryptFiles();
void contactAttacker();
};
void RansomwareAttack::initialize()
{
infected = false;
encryptionEvent = new cMessage(“encryptFiles”);
// Optionally, start the infection process
if (par(“autoStart”).boolValue()) {
scheduleAt(simTime() + par(“startTime”), encryptionEvent);
}
}
void RansomwareAttack::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (msg == encryptionEvent) {
encryptFiles();
} else {
delete msg;
}
}
void RansomwareAttack::encryptFiles()
{
infected = true;
EV << “Files encrypted! User data is now inaccessible.\n”;
// Simulate contacting the attacker for decryption
contactAttacker();
// Optionally, you can schedule further actions here, such as spreading the ransomware
}
void RansomwareAttack::contactAttacker()
{
// Simulate sending a message to the attacker demanding a ransom
EV << “Contacting attacker for decryption key…\n”;
auto packet = new Packet(“RansomwareContact”);
auto payload = makeShared<ApplicationPacket>();
payload->setChunkLength(B(128)); // Example size of a ransom message
packet->insertAtBack(payload);
send(packet, “out”);
}
Define_Module(RansomwareAttack);
- This module emulates the encryption of files on a compromised system and attempts to contact the attacker for a decryption key.
- Configure the Attacker Node
- In your .ini file, configure the attacker node to start the ransomware attack on the target systems.
Example configuration in omnetpp.ini:
*.attacker.numApps = 1
*.attacker.app[0].typename = “RansomwareAttack”
*.attacker.app[0].startTime = 1s
*.attacker.app[0].autoStart = true
- startTime determines when the ransomware attack starts.
- autoStart regulates whether the attack begins automatically upon simulation start.
- Configure the Target Nodes
- The target nodes like client1, client2, and server should be configured to emulate normal operations until they are infected by the ransomware. We need to generate a separate application on these nodes that denotes the normal operation, which will be interrupted by the ransomware.
Example:
*.client1.numApps = 1
*.client1.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”
*.client1.app[0].localPort = 5000
*.client2.numApps = 1
*.client2.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”
*.client2.app[0].localPort = 5001
*.server.numApps = 1
*.server.app[0].typename = “TcpServerApp”
- These nodes mimic normal network communication, which can be disturbed or compromised by the ransomware.
- Run the Simulation
- Compile and run OMNeT++ simulation. The attacker node will start the ransomware attack, and we need to monitor how the infection spreads and affects the target systems.
- Analyse the Results
- To monitor the effect of the ransomware attack on the network use OMNeT++’s analysis tools. Emphasis on how the attack disturbs network traffic, communication among nodes, and the time it takes for the ransomware to spread and encrypt data.
- Monitor how the infected systems behave especially in terms of disrupted communication and attempt to contact the attacker.
- Enhancements and Variations
- Spread Mechanism: Prolong the emulation to permits the ransomware to spread to other systems through network shares, emails, or vulnerabilities.
- Defensive Mechanisms: To execute and verify defense mechanisms, like antivirus software, network segmentation, or backups, to prevent the effects of the ransomware attack.
- Simulation of Recovery: To mimic the recovery process, like paying the ransom (not recommended in real life) or restoring from backups.
Example Files
We need to generate the following files as part of simulation:
- RansomwareAttackNetwork.ned: Describes the network topology.
- omnetpp.ini: Contains configuration settings for the ransomware attack.
- RansomwareAttack.cc: Custom C++ code for the ransomware attack module.
Overall, we had known the basic implementation process how the ransomware attack will implement by using the characteristics in the network that were implemented by OMNeT++ tool. Additional specifics information also provided in the ransomware attack scenario.
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