To simulate botnets using NS2 (Network Simulator 2), which encompasses designing a network of compromised devices (bots) that managed by a central command-and-control (C&C) server. Botnets are normally utilized for malicious activities, like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, data theft, or spamming. The botnets coordinate attacks along with the individual bots perform upon commands from the C&C server.
Follow the below instructions to simulate the Botnets Projects in ns2:
Steps to Simulate Botnets Projects in NS2
Step 1: Set Up NS2
Make certain we have NS2 installed on the system. For envisioning the botnet network traffic, we can also use NAM (Network Animator).
Step 2: Understand the Botnet Attack
In a normal botnet:
- Bots: Under the attacker’s control, these are the compromised devices. Each bot pay attention to the C&C server’s commands and accomplishes the malicious activities.
- Command-and-Control (C&C) Server: The server, which challenges commands to the bots.
- Target: The node that obtains the attack from the bots (e.g., in a DDoS attack).
The bots organise with each other and the C&C server to execute the actions such as transmitting a flood of packets to overwhelm the target.
Step 3: Design the Simulation Topology
To replicate a botnet, we will describe:
- Bots: Several nodes, which receive commands from the C&C server.
- C&C Server: The node that transmits guidelines to the bots.
- Target: The node under attack by the bots like for a DDoS attack.
- Legitimate Clients: Typical network nodes are making regular traffic.
Step 4: Create an NS2 TCL Script for Botnet Simulation
Here is an NS2 TCL script, which replicates a botnet DDoS attack in which the C&C server manages a group of bots to introduce an attack on a target node:
Example TCL Script for Botnet Simulation:
# Create a new simulator object
set ns [new Simulator]
# Define network nodes
set bot1 [$ns node] ;# Bot 1
set bot2 [$ns node] ;# Bot 2
set bot3 [$ns node] ;# Bot 3
set cc_server [$ns node] ;# Command and Control (C&C) Server
set target [$ns node] ;# Target node under attack
set client1 [$ns node] ;# Legitimate client 1
set client2 [$ns node] ;# Legitimate client 2
# Create duplex links between the nodes
$ns duplex-link $bot1 $target 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $bot2 $target 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $bot3 $target 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $cc_server $bot1 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $cc_server $bot2 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $cc_server $bot3 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $client1 $target 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $client2 $target 1Mb 10ms DropTail
# Define UDP agents for bots
set udp_bot1 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $bot1 $udp_bot1
set udp_bot2 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $bot2 $udp_bot2
set udp_bot3 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $bot3 $udp_bot3
# Define a UDP sink at the target to receive traffic from bots
set null_sink [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $target $null_sink
# Connect bots to the target
$ns connect $udp_bot1 $null_sink
$ns connect $udp_bot2 $null_sink
$ns connect $udp_bot3 $null_sink
# Define UDP agents for legitimate clients
set udp_client1 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $client1 $udp_client1
set udp_client2 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $client2 $udp_client2
# Connect legitimate clients to the target
$ns connect $udp_client1 $null_sink
$ns connect $udp_client2 $null_sink
# Define CBR traffic for legitimate clients
set cbr_client1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr_client1 set packetSize_ 512
$cbr_client1 set interval_ 0.1
$cbr_client1 attach-agent $udp_client1
set cbr_client2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr_client2 set packetSize_ 512
$cbr_client2 set interval_ 0.1
$cbr_client2 attach-agent $udp_client2
# Define CBR traffic for bots (to simulate DDoS attack)
set cbr_bot1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr_bot1 set packetSize_ 1024 ;# Larger packet size for attack
$cbr_bot1 set interval_ 0.05 ;# High rate to simulate the DDoS attack
$cbr_bot1 attach-agent $udp_bot1
set cbr_bot2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr_bot2 set packetSize_ 1024
$cbr_bot2 set interval_ 0.05
$cbr_bot2 attach-agent $udp_bot2
set cbr_bot3 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr_bot3 set packetSize_ 1024
$cbr_bot3 set interval_ 0.05
$cbr_bot3 attach-agent $udp_bot3
# Schedule legitimate client traffic
$ns at 1.0 “$cbr_client1 start”
$ns at 1.5 “$cbr_client2 start”
# Schedule botnet attack – C&C server commands bots to attack
proc start_attack {} {
global cbr_bot1 cbr_bot2 cbr_bot3
$cbr_bot1 start
$cbr_bot2 start
$cbr_bot3 start
puts “Botnet attack started!”
}
# Command bots to start attack at 2.0 seconds
$ns at 2.0 “start_attack”
# Stop all traffic after 5 seconds
$ns at 5.0 “$cbr_client1 stop”
$ns at 5.0 “$cbr_client2 stop”
$ns at 5.0 “$cbr_bot1 stop”
$ns at 5.0 “$cbr_bot2 stop”
$ns at 5.0 “$cbr_bot3 stop”
# Trace file for recording the simulation
set tracefile [open “botnet_attack.tr” w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
# NAM file for network animation
set namfile [open “botnet_attack.nam” w]
$ns namtrace-all $namfile
# Finish procedure to close files and run NAM
proc finish {} {
global ns tracefile namfile
$ns flush-trace
close $tracefile
close $namfile
exec nam botnet_attack.nam &
exit 0
}
# Schedule the finish procedure after 6 seconds
$ns at 6.0 “finish”
# Run the simulation
$ns run
Step 5: Explanation of the Script
- Nodes and Links:
- The script describes numerous nodes they are three bots, one C&C server, two legitimate clients, and one target.
- Duplex links are attaching the bots to the target, the C&C server to the bots, and the legitimate clients to the target.
- Bot Traffic:
- The bot nodes are associated to the target and it managed by the C&C server.
- The bots transmit the UDP traffic to the target at a high rate that replicating a DDoS attack.
- Legitimate Traffic:
- Two legitimate clients are also transmitted UDP traffic to the target, which mimicking a typical network traffic.
- Botnet Coordination:
- The C&C server organizes the botnet attack by distributing a command to begin the attack at 2.0 seconds with the help of start_attack procedure.
- Trace and NAM Files:
- For examining the network traffic, the simulation makes a trace file (botnet_attack.tr) and for visualizing the attack, the simulation generates a NAM file (botnet_attack.nam) in NAM.
Step 6: Run the Simulation
- We need to save the script as botnet_attack.tcl.
- We can execute the simulation using NS2:
ns botnet_attack.tcl
It will generate two files:
- botnet_attack.tr: A trace file including the details of the traffic that made by the bots and legitimate clients.
- botnet_attack.nam: A NAM file for envisioning the botnet attack.
Step 7: Visualize the Simulation Using NAM
To envision the botnet attack, we can use the NAM tool:
nam botnet_attack.nam
In NAM, we will be able to monitor:
- After receiving commands from the C&C server, bots transmitting a high volume of traffic to the target.
- Legitimate clients are transmitting the normal traffic to the target that overwhelmed by the botnet attack.
Step 8: Analyze the Trace File
The trace file (botnet_attack.tr) encompasses detailed data regarding every packet transmitted in the course of the simulation. We can examine the file to:
- Calculate the amount of traffic that transmitted by the bots and legitimate clients.
- Focus on the influence of the DDoS attack on the target.
- Investigate the packet loss or delays are triggered by the botnet attack.
We can be used the tools such as AWK or Python to process and examine the trace file.
Step 9: Enhance the Simulation
Following is a few ways to enhance or prolong the simulation:
- Simulate Different Attacks: Rather than a DDoS attack, which replicate data theft or spamming behavior from the botnet.
- Add Defense Mechanisms: Execute the firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), or rate limiting to protect versus the botnet attack.
- Measure Impact: Examine the network performance parameters like packet loss, throughput, and delays are triggered by the botnet.
- Add More Bots: To replicate a larger-scale botnet attack, maximize the amount of bot nodes.
Overall, we covered the valuable insights through the simple method to simulate and analyse the Botnets Projects using NS2 simulation environment. If needed, we will also offer the additional details through another manual.
Reach out to us for more information on Botnets Projects utilizing NS2. We offer research simulation benefits customized to suit your requirements. Our team is here to assist you in every possible way with our top-notch tools and resources.
