To simulate Ethical Hacking projects in NS2 that includes making network scenarios in which vulnerabilities, attacks, or security measures are replicated to learn network security and the effects of numerous hacking methods. The simulation NS2 permits to model a broad range of networks (wired and wireless) and replicate distinct kinds of attacks like Denial of Service (DoS), Man-in-the-Middle (MITM), or packet sniffing. As well, we can execute and experiment security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and encryption.
The following is a step-by-step instruction to replicate Ethical Hacking projects using NS2:
Steps to Simulate Ethical Hacking Projects Using NS2
- Install NS2:
Make sure NS2 is installed and running on the system. We can download it from the NS2 official website. NS2 supports the simulation of both wired and wireless networks, creating it a flexible platform to replicate several hacking and security scenarios.
- Define the Network Topology:
To simulate an ethical hacking project, we initially want to describe the network topology, containing nodes (clients, servers, and routers), the attacker, and legitimate users. For instance, we can replicate a basic network with a client, server, and an attacker.
Example of defining a simple network topology with an attacker:
set ns [new Simulator]
# Create legitimate client, server, and attacker nodes
set client [$ns node]
set server [$ns node]
set attacker [$ns node]
# Create a router
set router [$ns node]
# Define links between client, router, server, and attacker
$ns duplex-link $client $router 10Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $server $router 10Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $attacker $router 10Mb 10ms DropTail
This topology consists of:
- A client requesting services from a server.
- An attacker node attempting to disrupt or eavesdrop on communication.
- A router facilitating traffic among the client, server, and attacker.
- Configure TCP or UDP Agents:
We can set up TCP or UDP agents for communication among the client and server. TCP is normally utilized for reliable communication (e.g., web or file transfer), even though UDP is used for faster however less reliable communication (e.g., VoIP).
Example of setting up TCP communication:
# TCP communication between client and server
set tcpClient [new Agent/TCP]
set tcpSink [new Agent/TCPSink]
$ns attach-agent $client $tcpClient
$ns attach-agent $server $tcpSink
$ns connect $tcpClient $tcpSink
- Simulate Ethical Hacking Scenarios:
We can now replicate distinct kinds of hacking methods and their influence on network security. Here are a few general ethical hacking scenarios to mimic:
(a) Denial of Service (DoS) Attack Simulation:
In a DoS attack, an attacker transmits excessive traffic to the server to overwhelm it and create it unobtainable to legitimate clients.
Example of simulating a DoS attack:
# Set up UDP traffic for DoS attack from attacker to server
set udpAttack [new Agent/UDP]
set nullAttack [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $attacker $udpAttack
$ns attach-agent $server $nullAttack
$ns connect $udpAttack $nullAttack
# Create CBR traffic for DoS attack (high packet rate)
set cbrAttack [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbrAttack set packetSize_ 512
$cbrAttack set interval_ 0.001 ;# Very high packet rate for DoS
$cbrAttack attach-agent $udpAttack
# Start the attack at 2 seconds
$ns at 2.0 “$cbrAttack start”
In this case, the attacker floods the server with UDP traffic at a too high rate that replicating a DoS attack.
(b) Packet Sniffing Simulation (Eavesdropping):
An attacker can try to capture packets traveling among the client and the server, replicating a packet sniffing attack.
To replicate packet sniffing, the attacker can be positioned on the similar network link as the client and server. NS2 supports packet tracing, thus we can extract the trace data to replicate how the attacker could capture packets.
Example of enabling trace to simulate packet sniffing:
# Enable tracing to capture packet transmission between client and server
set tracefile [open sniffing_trace.tr w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
# The attacker will “sniff” the network by monitoring the trace file
In this case, the attacker is not dynamically disrupting communication however is passively observing the communication among the client and the server.
(c) Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack Simulation:
In a MITM attack, the attacker intercepts communication among the client and server, changing the traffic before forwarding it. In NS2, we can replicate it by routing all traffic among the client and server via the attacker.
Example of simulating a MITM attack:
# Reroute traffic between client and server through the attacker
$ns duplex-link $attacker $server 10Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns connect $tcpClient $attacker
$ns connect $attacker $tcpSink
In this configuration, all communication among the client and server must run through the attacker node, which replicating a MITM attack.
- Implement Security Measures (Optional):
To replicate ethical hacking and defense mechanisms, we can also execute security measures such as firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), or encryption.
(a) Firewall Simulation:
A firewall can be executed by checking packets and dropping unauthorized traffic. For instance, the firewall can be positioned among the client and the server to block malicious traffic.
Example of simulating a firewall:
proc firewall { src dst packetType } {
if { $src == $attacker && $packetType == “UDP” } {
puts “Blocking attacker’s UDP traffic”
return 0 ;# Drop packet
} else {
puts “Allowing traffic”
return 1 ;# Forward packet
}
}
# Apply firewall rule
$ns at 2.0 “firewall $attacker $server UDP”
(b) Intrusion Detection System (IDS) Simulation:
An IDS can observe traffic patterns and identify potential attacks, like detecting excessive packet rates indicative of a DoS attack.
Example of simulating an IDS:
proc idsDetect { node rate } {
if { $rate > 1000 } {
puts “Potential DoS attack detected at node $node”
}
}
# Monitor packet rate at the server to detect DoS attacks
$ns at 2.0 “idsDetect $server $rate”
- Run the Simulation:
After describing the network, configuring agents, and setting up the attack scenario then we can run the simulation in NS2.
Example of running the simulation:
ns ethical_hacking_simulation.tcl
We can also envision the network activity utilizing NAM (Network Animator):
nam ethical_hacking_simulation.nam
- Analyze Results:
After the simulation finishes then we can examine the trace file (*.tr) to estimate the influence of attacks and the effectiveness of the security mechanisms. Key parameters to calculate include:
- Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR): Percentage of packets effectively delivered from client to server.
- Latency: Assess the delay triggered by attacks like DoS or MITM.
- Throughput: Estimate the server’s ability to manage traffic under attack.
Example of analyzing traffic using AWK:
awk ‘{if ($1==”r” && $4==”AGT” && $7==”TCP”) print $0}’ ethical_hacking_trace.tr
- Advanced Ethical Hacking Scenarios:
We can expand the simulation to contain more complex scenarios:
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS): Insert several attacker nodes to replicate a DDoS attack.
- Cross-site scripting (XSS): Mimic web-based attacks by changing application-layer traffic.
- Brute-force password cracking: Replicate brute-force attacks versus a server needing password authentication.
We performed a general approach on how to simulate and analyse the Ethical Hacking projects, employing the NS2 simulating platform. If you want further informations on this topic, we will deliver in upcoming manual. We work on simulation based on your project, and also share best project topics on your interested area.Send us all your details we will help you further with detailed explanation.
