To simulate Traffic Analysis Attacks in OMNeT++ has needs to design a network and attackers that observe traffic patterns, volumes, or timing to infer sensitive information about communication. Traffic analysis attacks don’t need attackers to decode the information however as an alternative depend on metadata (such as packet timing, size, flow patterns) to compromise privacy. These attacks are usual in environment like anonymity networks (such as Tor), VPNs, or even regular network communications.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to simulate traffic analysis attack projects using OMNeT++:
Steps to Simulate Traffic Analysis Attack Projects in OMNeT++
- Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
- Install OMNeT++: Download and install OMNeT++
- Install INET Framework: INET deliver networking models for communication protocols, and we utilize or extend it to execute traffic analysis and attacker behaviour. Download it from INET GitHub or use OMNeT++’s package manager.
- Understand Traffic Analysis Attacks
Traffic analysis attacks exploit traffic patterns, such as:
- Packet Timing: Monitoring when packets are sent and received to infer communication patterns.
- Packet Sizes: Evaluate packet sizes to infer types of communication.
- Flow Patterns: observes on how packets flow among different nodes in a network to regulate hidden routes or relationships among hosts.
- Correlation of Traffic: Associating incoming and outgoing traffic flows to infer that hosts are interacting with each other, even though proxies or VPNs.
- Define a Network Topology (NED File)
Generate a network topology with multiple hosts and an intermediate attacker node that observes traffic among the hosts. We can replicate different scenarios, like a regular network, an anonymity network, or a VPN.
Example NED File for Traffic Analysis Attack:
network TrafficAnalysisNetwork
{
submodules:
hostA: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/pc”);
}
hostB: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/pc”);
}
attacker: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/pc”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“i=abstract/router”);
}
connections:
hostA.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
hostB.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
attacker.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
}
In this topology:
- hostA and hostB signify two regular network participants.
- router routes traffic among the hosts.
- attacker is associated to the network and can track traffic passing via the router.
- Simulate Normal Traffic between Hosts
We want to generate normal traffic among the hosts. This can be HTTP-like traffic, TCP-based communication, or UDP streams, liable on the environment.
Example omnetpp.ini for Traffic Generation:
network = TrafficAnalysisNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
# Traffic between hostA and hostB
*.hostA.numTcpApps = 1
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectAddress = “hostB”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectPort = 80
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].sendBytes = 500000 # Send 500KB of data
*.hostB.numTcpApps = 1
*.hostB.tcpApp[0].typename = “TcpBasicServerApp”
*.hostB.tcpApp[0].localPort = 80
This configuration:
- hostA perform as a TCP client sending 500KB of data to hostB, that acts as the TCP server.
- Implement the Traffic Analysis Attack
We require replicating the attacker node monitoring traffic among hostA and hostB. The attacker can log packet timing, packet sizes, and flow patterns. To attain this, we can prolong OMNeT++ by generating a custom AttackerModule in C++ that evaluate traffic patterns.
Example C++ Code for Traffic Analysis (Attacker):
class TrafficAnalyzer : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void logPacketInfo(cPacket *pkt);
};
void TrafficAnalyzer::initialize()
{
// Initialization: open log file or set up data structures for analysis
}
void TrafficAnalyzer::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket*>(msg);
logPacketInfo(pkt); // Log or analyze the packet
send(pkt, “out”); // Forward the packet to the next hop (if needed)
}
void TrafficAnalyzer::logPacketInfo(cPacket *pkt)
{
simtime_t arrivalTime = simTime(); // Record packet arrival time
int packetSize = pkt->getByteLength(); // Record packet size
EV << “Packet intercepted: Time = ” << arrivalTime << “, Size = ” << packetSize << “\n”;
// Store packet data in a file or data structure for further analysis
}
In this module:
- logPacketInfo logs packet timing and size.
- The attacker can infer communication patterns by measuring these logs.
- Configure the Attacker Node in omnetpp.ini
Add the TrafficAnalyzer module to the attacker node so that it can track and evaluate the traffic among the hosts.
Example omnetpp.ini Configuration for the Attacker:
network = TrafficAnalysisNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
# Attacker configuration
*.attacker.numTcpApps = 0 # The attacker is not sending traffic, only monitoring
*.attacker.hasAnalyzer = true
*.attacker.analyzerModule = “TrafficAnalyzer” # Custom module for traffic analysis
# Normal traffic between hostA and hostB
*.hostA.numTcpApps = 1
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectAddress = “hostB”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectPort = 80
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].sendBytes = 500000
*.hostB.numTcpApps = 1
*.hostB.tcpApp[0].typename = “TcpBasicServerApp”
*.hostB.tcpApp[0].localPort = 80
In this setup:
- Attacker executes the TrafficAnalyzer module that logs packet sizes and arrival times.
- Run the Simulation
Once the omnetpp.ini file and the traffic analyser are configured, execute the simulation using OMNeT++.
- Qtenv or Tkenv: We can monitor on how packets are sent among the hosts and intercepted by the attacker.
- Packet Logging: The attacker logs metadata about the packets like size and timing, for further evaluation.
- Analyse the Results
After executing the simulation, evaluates the attacker’s logs to infer sensitive data from the networks. Relay on the attack goals, the attacker can:
- Correlate Traffic: Classify traffic patterns that reveal which hosts are interacting with each other.
- Infer Message Types: According to packet sizes, infer the type of communication (such as large packets might designate file transfers).
- Timing Analysis: Evaluate packet timing to infer user behavior, like login times or communication intervals.
- Simulate Countermeasures
We can also replicate countermeasures to traffic analysis threats like:
- Traffic Padding: Add random noise packets or pad packets to make traffic analysis more difficult.
- Packet Delay: Establish random latency in packet transmission to hide timing patterns.
- Anonymization: Route traffic through anonymizing proxies or mix networks to obscure sender-receiver relationships.
Example of Traffic Padding:
void TrafficAnalyzer::addTrafficPadding()
{
if (uniform(0, 1) < 0.1) // Add padding with 10% probability
{
cPacket *paddingPkt = new cPacket(“Padding”);
paddingPkt->setByteLength(1024); // 1KB padding packet
send(paddingPkt, “out”);
}
}
We can call this addTrafficPadding function occasionally to create random traffic.
- Extend the Project
Here are a few extensions to discover:
- Advanced Attack Models: Apply more sophisticated traffic analysis threats like correlation attacks or timing attacks on anonymous communication systems (such as Tor).
- Machine Learning for Traffic Analysis: Implement machine learning approaches to detect traffic according to timing, packet sizes, and flow patterns.
- Complex Network Topologies: Replicate traffic analysis in large-scale networks with multiple routers, VPNs, or proxies.
Example Project Structure:
TrafficAnalysisSimulation/
├── src/
│ └── TrafficAnalysisNetwork.ned # Network topology
│ └── TrafficAnalyzer.cc # Custom traffic analysis module
├── omnetpp.ini # Simulation configuration
└── Makefile # Build files for compiling the project
At the end, we thorough the manual and deliver the valuable insights regarding how to simulate the Traffic Analysis Attacks in OMNeT++ tool. Further details regarding the implementation of the Traffic Analysis Attacks in diverse simulations will be provided.
We specialize in anonymity networks, including Tor, VPNs, and standard network communications tailored to your projects. For more information, please contact us, and we will ensure optimal results for all your project requirements. Our team can provide a customized comparative analysis designed specifically for your needs. Equipped with the necessary tools and resources, we are ready to assist you with comprehensive guidance and detailed explanations.
