To simulate an SYN Flood Attack utilizing hping3 within NS2 that needs to make a network situation in which one or more attacker nodes are transmit a huge amount of SYN packets to a target server. The target of the attack is to devastate the server including connection requests (TCP handshake initiation), which triggering the resource exhaustion. Because hping3 is a real-world network tool utilized for packet crafting and transmitting, NS2 does not directly simulate it, however we can replicate its behavior with the help of NS2 by designing the similar actions within the network that transmitting a flood of SYN packets from the attacker nodes to a target.
Follow the step-by-step guide to replicate an SYN Flood attack (similar to an hping3 SYN flood) using NS2.
Steps to Simulate Hyping2 SYN Flood Attack Projects in NS2
Step 1: Set Up NS2
Make sure NS2 is installed on the machine. Because SYN flooding is according to the TCP protocol then NS2’s built-in TCP agent can be utilized to replicate the SYN flood attack.
Step 2: Understand SYN Flood Attack
An SYN Flood attack functions by transmitting a huge amount of TCP SYN packets (the first step in the TCP handshake) to a target server. The server reacts with SYN-ACK packets, however the attacker never finishes the handshake (with an ACK), and exit the server waiting that uses server resources (e.g., half-open connections). This eventually directs to the resource exhaustion and denial of service (DoS).
Step 3: Design the Network Topology
We will make a simple topology containing:
- Attacker Node(s): These nodes will transmit a flood of SYN packets to devastate target.
- Target Server: This node will obtain the SYN flood.
- Legitimate Clients: These nodes are making normal traffic.
Step 4: Create an NS2 TCL Script for SYN Flood Attack Simulation
Following is an NS2 TCL script, which replicates a SYN Flood attack within a wired network in which attacker nodes are transmit TCP SYN packets to a target server.
Example: SYN Flood Attack Simulation in NS2
# Create a new simulator object
set ns [new Simulator]
# Define the network topology
set n0 [$ns node] ;# Legitimate Client 1
set n1 [$ns node] ;# Legitimate Client 2
set n2 [$ns node] ;# Attacker 1 (sending SYN flood)
set n3 [$ns node] ;# Attacker 2 (sending SYN flood)
set n4 [$ns node] ;# Target Server
# Create duplex links between the nodes (10ms delay and 1Mb bandwidth)
$ns duplex-link $n0 $n4 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n1 $n4 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n2 $n4 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n3 $n4 1Mb 10ms DropTail
# Define TCP agents for legitimate clients
set tcp0 [new Agent/TCP]
$tcp0 set class_ 2
$ns attach-agent $n0 $tcp0
set tcp1 [new Agent/TCP]
$tcp1 set class_ 2
$ns attach-agent $n1 $tcp1
# Define TCP sink (Null agent) at the target to receive legitimate traffic
set sink [new Agent/TCPSink]
$ns attach-agent $n4 $sink
# Connect legitimate clients to the target
$ns connect $tcp0 $sink
$ns connect $tcp1 $sink
# Define FTP traffic (over TCP) for legitimate clients
set ftp0 [new Application/FTP]
$ftp0 attach-agent $tcp0
set ftp1 [new Application/FTP]
$ftp1 attach-agent $tcp1
# Start legitimate FTP traffic from the clients
$ns at 1.0 “$ftp0 start”
$ns at 1.5 “$ftp1 start”
# Define TCP agents for attackers (sending only SYN packets)
set syn_attacker1 [new Agent/TCP]
$syn_attacker1 set class_ 2
$syn_attacker1 set syn_only_ 1 ;# Configure the attacker to only send SYN packets
$ns attach-agent $n2 $syn_attacker1
set syn_attacker2 [new Agent/TCP]
$syn_attacker2 set class_ 2
$syn_attacker2 set syn_only_ 1 ;# Configure the attacker to only send SYN packets
$ns attach-agent $n3 $syn_attacker2
# Connect attackers to the target
$ns connect $syn_attacker1 $sink
$ns connect $syn_attacker2 $sink
# Define a procedure to simulate the SYN flood attack
proc syn_flood_attack {} {
global ns syn_attacker1 syn_attacker2
# Start sending SYN flood traffic at high rate from attackers
$ns at 2.0 “$syn_attacker1 send”
$ns at 2.0 “$syn_attacker2 send”
puts “SYN Flood attack started at 2.0 seconds.”
}
# Schedule the SYN flood attack at 2.0 seconds
$ns at 2.0 “syn_flood_attack”
# Stop all traffic after 10 seconds
$ns at 10.0 “$ftp0 stop”
$ns at 10.0 “$ftp1 stop”
$ns at 10.0 “$syn_attacker1 reset”
$ns at 10.0 “$syn_attacker2 reset”
# Trace file for recording the simulation events
set tracefile [open “syn_flood_attack.tr” w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
# NAM file for visualizing the attack
set namfile [open “syn_flood_attack.nam” w]
$ns namtrace-all $namfile
# Define the finish procedure
proc finish {} {
global ns tracefile namfile
$ns flush-trace
close $tracefile
close $namfile
exec nam syn_flood_attack.nam &
exit 0
}
# Finish the simulation at 12 seconds
$ns at 12.0 “finish”
# Run the simulation
$ns run
Step 5: Explanation of the Script
- Network Setup:
- The script describes five nodes they are two legitimate clients (n0, n1), two attackers (n2, n3), and one target server (n4).
- Duplex links are configuring among the clients, attackers, and the target server.
- Legitimate Traffic:
- TCP agents are connected to the legitimate clients (n0 and n1), and an FTP application is utilized to make traffic.
- The target server that is n4 has a TCPSink agent to obtain the legitimate traffic.
- SYN Flood Attack:
- Attacker nodes (n2, n3) are set up to transmit only SYN packets by setting syn_only_ to 1. This replicates the SYN Flood behavior.
- The SYN flood attack begins at 2.0 seconds, including attackers continuously transmitting the SYN packets to devastate the target.
- Tracing and Visualization:
- A trace file (syn_flood_attack.tr) is made to log the packet-level events for the period of the simulation.
- A NAM file (syn_flood_attack.nam) is generated for envisioning the attack using NAM.
Step 6: Run the Simulation
- We need to save the script as syn_flood_attack.tcl.
- Execute the script in NS2:
ns syn_flood_attack.tcl
It will generate two files:
- syn_flood_attack.tr: A trace file, which records every network events.
- syn_flood_attack.nam: A NAM file for envisioning the attack.
Step 7: Visualize the Simulation Using NAM
To envision the SYN flood attack, we can use NAM:
nam syn_flood_attack.nam
In NAM, we will monitor:
- Legitimate traffic amongst the clients and the target server.
- A huge amount of SYN packets are transmitted from the attacker nodes to the target server that devastating the server.
Step 8: Analyze the Trace File
The trace file (syn_flood_attack.tr) includes exhaustive data regarding all packets are sent for the period of the simulation. We can examine it to:
- Calculate the packet delivery ratio (PDR) before and for the period of the attack.
- Monitor the impacts of the SYN flood attack, like delays and packet drops.
- Estimate the overall influence of the attack on the network performance.
We can utilize the AWK, Python, or other scripts to process the trace file also extract performance parameters.
Step 9: Enhance the Simulation
Below is a few ways to improve the simulation:
- Increase the Attack Intensity: Insert additional attacker nodes or maximize the packet-sending rate to replicate a more intense SYN flood attack.
- Add Defenses: Mimic defense mechanisms, like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), or rate-limiting, to defend the server from the SYN flood attack.
- Measure Network Metrics: Examine network performance parameters like throughput, delay, and packet loss to measure the effect of the attack.
- Simulate Multiple Targets: Prolong the simulation to contain numerous servers under attack.
At the end of the approach, you can acquire the knowledge on how to simulate and analyse the SYN Flood Attack projects using Hping2 in NS2 environment by designing a network topology and devastating the server. You can also extend the simulation or customize it. We effectively transmit a large volume of SYN packets by simulating Hping3 SYN Flood Attack Projects using the NS2 tool, catering to scholars at all academic levels. For expert assistance tailored to your needs, approach phdprime.com.
