To simulate ping sweep attack in ns2 has includes to generate a scenario in which a malicious node transmit ICMP Echo Request packets (ping requests) to multiple nodes, and we can track the responses. It is a network scanning approaches utilized by attackers to detect the active hosts in a network by transmitting ICMP Echo Request (ping) packets to a wide range of IP addresses. If a device reacts with an ICMP Echo Reply, it signifies which the device is active and accessible. This approach is usually utilized in the initial stages of network exploration to detect potential targets for further attacks.
Here’s how to simulate this attack in NS2:
Steps to Simulate Ping Sweep Attack Projects in NS2
Step 1: Set Up NS2
Make sure that NS2 is appropriately installed on the system. We will also require NAM (Network Animator) for envisioning the network and XGraph for result plotting.
Step 2: Understand the Ping Sweep Scenario
In a ping sweep attack, a malicious node (attacker) transmits ICMP Echo Request packets to multiple target nodes. The targets which are online respond with ICMP Echo Reply packets. The attacker utilizes the replies to detect which nodes are active in the network.
Step 3: Create an NS2 Simulation Script
To mimic a ping sweep attack in NS2, that can follow these steps:
- Generate a topology with several nodes.
- Describe a malicious node which transmits ICMP Echo Requests to multiple target nodes.
- Monitor that nodes respond to the ping requests.
Here is an instance of an NS2 TCL script for replicating a ping sweep attack:
Example TCL Script:
# Create a simulator object
set ns [new Simulator]
# Define network nodes
set attacker [$ns node] ;# The attacker node
set target1 [$ns node] ;# Target node 1
set target2 [$ns node] ;# Target node 2
set target3 [$ns node] ;# Target node 3
# Define network links (between attacker and targets)
$ns duplex-link $attacker $target1 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $attacker $target2 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $attacker $target3 1Mb 10ms DropTail
# Define ICMP ping agents for the attacker and targets
set ping_attacker1 [new Agent/Ping]
set ping_attacker2 [new Agent/Ping]
set ping_attacker3 [new Agent/Ping]
# Attach ping agents to the attacker node for each target
$ns attach-agent $attacker $ping_attacker1
$ns attach-agent $attacker $ping_attacker2
$ns attach-agent $attacker $ping_attacker3
# Attach PingSink agents to targets to receive ICMP Echo Requests and send ICMP Echo Replies
set ping_sink1 [new Agent/PingSink]
set ping_sink2 [new Agent/PingSink]
set ping_sink3 [new Agent/PingSink]
$ns attach-agent $target1 $ping_sink1
$ns attach-agent $target2 $ping_sink2
$ns attach-agent $target3 $ping_sink3
# Connect attacker ping agents to the targets
$ns connect $ping_attacker1 $ping_sink1
$ns connect $ping_attacker2 $ping_sink2
$ns connect $ping_attacker3 $ping_sink3
# Schedule ping sweep attack
$ns at 1.0 “$ping_attacker1 send”
$ns at 1.2 “$ping_attacker2 send”
$ns at 1.4 “$ping_attacker3 send”
# Define simulation end time
$ns at 5.0 “finish”
# Finish procedure to end the simulation
proc finish {} {
global ns
$ns flush-trace
close $tracefile
exec nam output.nam &
exit 0
}
# Enable network tracing
set tracefile [open “ping_sweep.tr” w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
# Run the simulation
$ns run
Step 4: Explanation of the Script
- Nodes and Links:
- We describe four nodes: one attacker and three target nodes.
- Links are generated among the attacker and each target node.
- Ping Agents:
- The attacker node is allocated three Agent/Ping agents, each targeting a certain node.
- The target nodes have PingSink agents to receive and respond to ping requests.
- Ping Sweep Simulation:
- The attacker transmits ICMP Echo Request packets to each target at diverse times (1.0s, 1.2s, and 1.4s).
- The targets react to the pings if they are online.
- Tracing and Visualization:
- The replication records all network traffic in the ping_sweep.tr trace file.
- A NAM file (output.nam) is created to envision the network characteristics.
Step 5: Run the Simulation
- Save the TCL script as ping_sweep_simulation.tcl.
- Execute the simulation using NS2:
ns ping_sweep_simulation.tcl
Step 6: Analyse the Results
- Network Animator (NAM):
- Open the NAM file to envision the ping sweep attack and the responses from the target nodes:
nam output.nam
-
- We will see the attacker forwarding ping requests and the target nodes reacting if they are online.
- Trace File Analysis:
- Open the trace file (ping_sweep.tr) to examine the packets interchanged in the course of the simulation. We can compose a simple script to parse the trace file and detect that targets responded to the ping requests.
Step 7: Enhance the Simulation
We can further enhance the simulation by incorporating:
- More Nodes: Upsurge the amount of target nodes in the network.
- Dynamic Behavior: create some nodes go offline and replicate on how the attacker detects that nodes are online.
- Packet Drops: Establish packet drops or network congestion to monitor on how it impacts the attacker’s ability to detect active hosts.
- Defense Mechanisms: Execute Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) or firewall rules to identify and mitigate the ping sweep attack.
Step 8: Evaluate the Impact
Evaluate on how the attack scans the network and how many nodes respond to the pings. We can also evaluate:
- Network performance degradation.
- Resource utilizes by the attacker and how it impacts legitimate traffic.
Through this approach, we offered the overall information regarding the implementation of Network ping sweep attack using ns2 tool. If needed, we can offer extra details of these attacks and their functions.
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