To simulate Internet attacks using OMNeT++, which permits to model several kinds of network-based attacks like Denial of Service (DoS), Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), man-in-the-middle (MitM), phishing, and more. The simulation tool OMNeT++ aggregated with the INET framework offers a powerful platform to replicate such attacks and monitor their influence on network performance, security, and resilience. Below is a stepwise instruction on how to simulate different types of Internet attacks in OMNeT++.
Steps to Simulate Internet Attacks Projects in OMNeT++
- Set Up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
- Install OMNeT++: We can download and install OMNeT++ from the OMNeT++ official website.
- Install INET Framework: INET framework is essential for network protocol models such as TCP, UDP, and ICMP that are needed to replicate internet communication and attacks. We can download INET from the INET GitHub page or install it using OMNeT++’s package manager.
- Understand Internet Attacks
There are numerous kinds of Internet attacks, which can be simulated within OMNeT++, containing but not limited to:
- Denial of Service (DoS) Attack: The attacker transfers a flood of requests to overwhelm a target service.
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack: Several compromised hosts (often part of a botnet) are utilized to flood a target service.
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack: The attacker intercepts and probably changes the communication among two parties.
- Phishing Attack: The attacker replicates legitimate services to steal sensitive data.
- Traffic Analysis: The attacker observes network traffic patterns to infer sensitive data.
We can select one or more attack types to replicate according to the project’s focus.
- Define the Network Topology (NED File)
Make a network topology in which there are legitimate hosts, servers, and attackers. The attackers can initiate attacks on the network, and we can monitor their influence on performance and data integrity.
Example NED File for a Simple Internet Attack Simulation:
network InternetAttackNetwork
{
submodules:
hostA: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/pc”);
}
hostB: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/pc”);
}
attacker: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/laptop”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“i=abstract/router”);
}
server: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/server”);
}
connections:
hostA.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
hostB.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
attacker.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
server.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
}
In this topology:
- hostA and hostB are legitimate users who communicate with a server via a router.
- The attacker node is placed in the network to execute an internet attacks versus either the server or one of the legitimate hosts.
- Simulate Denial of Service (DoS) Attack
In a DoS attack, an attacker overwhelms a server or service with requests, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users.
Implementing DoS Attack in OMNeT++
The attacker can set up to flood the server with TCP/UDP packets. It will consume the server’s resources, triggering the legitimate requests from hostA and hostB to be dropped or delayed.
Example DoS Attack Implementation:
class DoSAttacker : public cSimpleModule
{
private:
simtime_t floodInterval; // Time interval between attack packets
cMessage *attackTimer; // Timer to schedule the next attack packet
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void sendAttackPacket();
};
void DoSAttacker::initialize()
{
floodInterval = par(“floodInterval”); // Get flood interval from .ini file
attackTimer = new cMessage(“attackTimer”);
scheduleAt(simTime(), attackTimer); // Start the attack immediately
}
void DoSAttacker::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (msg == attackTimer) {
sendAttackPacket();
scheduleAt(simTime() + floodInterval, attackTimer); // Schedule the next attack
}
}
void DoSAttacker::sendAttackPacket()
{
cPacket *pkt = new cPacket(“AttackPacket”);
EV << “Sending DoS attack packet to the server” << endl;
send(pkt, “out”); // Send the attack packet toward the server
}
In this example:
- The attacker frequently transfers packets to flood the server.
- The interval among each attack packet is configurable via the .ini file.
Configuration for DoS Attack in omnetpp.ini:
[General]
network = InternetAttackNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
# Configure attacker to flood the server with packets
*.attacker.numApps = 1
*.attacker.app[0].typename = “DoSAttacker”
*.attacker.app[0].floodInterval = 0.01s # Flood packets every 0.01 seconds
# Configure legitimate traffic from hostA to the server
*.hostA.numTcpApps = 1
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectAddress = “server”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectPort = 80
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].sendBytes = 500000 # Send 500KB of data
# Configure server to respond to legitimate traffic
*.server.numTcpApps = 1
*.server.tcpApp[0].typename = “TcpBasicServerApp”
*.server.tcpApp[0].localPort = 80
In this configuration:
- attacker transmits attack packets to the server every 0.01 seconds.
- hostA transmits legitimate TCP traffic to the server, replicating a regular user.
- We can monitor the server’s response and how it manages both legitimate and attack traffic.
- Simulate Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
A DDoS attack contains several nodes are flooding a target server concurrently. In the simulation tool OMNeT++, we can be replicated it by having numerous attacker nodes flood the server with packets.
Example NED File for DDoS Attack Simulation:
network DDoSAttackNetwork
{
submodules:
hostA: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/pc”);
}
attacker1: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/laptop”);
}
attacker2: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/laptop”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“i=abstract/router”);
}
server: StandardHost {
@display(“i=device/server”);
}
connections:
hostA.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
attacker1.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
attacker2.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
server.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> router.pppg++;
}
Configuration for DDoS Attack in omnetpp.ini:
[General]
network = DDoSAttackNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
# Configure multiple attackers to flood the server
*.attacker1.numApps = 1
*.attacker1.app[0].typename = “DoSAttacker”
*.attacker1.app[0].floodInterval = 0.02s
*.attacker2.numApps = 1
*.attacker2.app[0].typename = “DoSAttacker”
*.attacker2.app[0].floodInterval = 0.03s
# Legitimate traffic from hostA
*.hostA.numTcpApps = 1
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectAddress = “server”
*.hostA.tcpApp[0].connectPort = 80
- Simulate Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack
In a MitM attack, the attacker intercepts communication among two legitimate hosts. The attacker can read, change, or insert messages into the communication.
Example C++ Code for MitM Attacker:
class MitMAttacker : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void interceptPacket(cPacket *pkt);
};
void MitMAttacker::initialize()
{
EV << “Man-in-the-Middle Attacker initialized.\n”;
}
void MitMAttacker::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket*>(msg);
interceptPacket(pkt);
// Forward the packet to the original destination
send(pkt, “out”);
}
void MitMAttacker::interceptPacket(cPacket *pkt)
{
EV << “Intercepted packet: ” << pkt->getName() << endl;
// Modify the packet if necessary or log its content
}
- Run and Analyze the Simulation
When we have configure the network and attackers then we run the simulation in OMNeT++:
- Qtenv or Tkenv: Utilize the graphical interface to monitor the network traffic and how the attacks influence legitimate communication.
- Analyze Results: Observe packet loss, delays, server response times, and how network performance degrades under attack.
- Extend the Simulation
Here are some ways to prolong the project:
- Simulate More Attack Types: Replicate other attack types, like phishing, by simulating legitimate services and capturing user data.
- Countermeasures: Execute security mechanisms such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), or rate-limiting to mitigate the attacks.
- Advanced MitM: Improve the MitM attack to decrypt encrypted traffic (if applicable) or insert changed packets into the stream.
- Botnet Simulation: Replicate a botnet performing a DDoS attack with many distributed attackers.
Example Project Structure:
InternetAttackSimulation/
├── src/
│ └── InternetAttackNetwork.ned # Network topology for internet attack
│ └── DoSAttacker.cc # DoS attack implementation
│ └── MitMAttacker.cc # MitM attack implementation
├── omnetpp.ini # Simulation configuration
└── Makefile # Build file for compiling the project
In this manual, we provided initial approach, featuring example coding and instance project structure to simulate and examine the Internet Attacks utilizing OMNeT++ tool. Likewise, we will be inserted essential information related to this content in another manual, if necessary. To execute Internet attacks using OMNeT++ tool ,we have all the needed tools and resources to aid you with best results. So let phdprime.com take care of your work we assure ontime delivery.
