To simulate a ransomware attack using NS2 that is challenging since NS2 is mainly utilized for replicating the network protocols and communication at the packet level. A ransomware attack, in contrast that is an attack, which happens at the application and file system levels that encompassing the encryption of files and requires for ransom payments. But, the network behavior for the period of a ransomware attack, like command and control (C&C) communications, data exfiltration, and network scanning, which can be designed and replicated within NS2.
In this simulation, we will concentration on the network activities of ransomware, like:
- Spreading over the network: Replicating how ransomware could examine for vulnerable nodes to infect.
- Communicating with a Command and Control (C&C) server: Mimicking how ransomware could communicate with an external C&C server to obtain encryption keys or transmit the victim data.
- Data Exfiltration: Replicating how ransomware could steal information before encrypting the victim’s files.
Steps to Simulate Ransomware Attack Projects in NS2
Step 1: Understand Network Behavior in Ransomware Attacks
In ransomware attacks, network behavior normally contains:
- Scanning for vulnerable machines: The ransomware examines the network for open ports or services to spread to another machines.
- Command and Control (C&C) communication: The infected machines can communicate with an external server to download the encryption keys or transmit the victim data.
- Data exfiltration: Ransomware can transmit stolen information to the attacker’s server before encoding files.
Step 2: Design the Network Topology
We will create a network topology in which:
- Client Nodes: These are potential targets of the ransomware.
- Attacker Node: This node executes the network scanning and communicates with a Command and Control (C&C) server to manage the attack.
- C&C Server: This node performs as the external server that receiving data from the ransomware.
- Data Exfiltration Node: This node replicates the data exfiltration in which stolen data is transmitted beyond the network.
Step 3: Create an NS2 TCL Script for Simulating Ransomware Network Behavior
Here is an example NS2 TCL script, which replicates the network scanning, C&C communication, and data exfiltration behavior of ransomware.
Example: Ransomware Network Behavior Simulation in NS2
# Create a new NS2 simulator object
set ns [new Simulator]
# Define network topology with 4 nodes
set client1 [$ns node] ;# Client 1 (potential ransomware victim)
set client2 [$ns node] ;# Client 2 (potential ransomware victim)
set attacker [$ns node] ;# Attacker (ransomware spreader)
set cnc [$ns node] ;# Command and Control (C&C) server
set data_exfil [$ns node] ;# Data exfiltration server (where stolen data is sent)
# Create duplex links between the nodes (with 1Mb bandwidth and 10ms delay)
$ns duplex-link $client1 $attacker 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $client2 $attacker 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $attacker $cnc 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $attacker $data_exfil 1Mb 10ms DropTail
# Enable queue tracing between nodes
$ns trace-queue $client1 $attacker “ransomware.tr”
$ns trace-queue $client2 $attacker “ransomware.tr”
$ns trace-queue $attacker $cnc “ransomware.tr”
$ns trace-queue $attacker $data_exfil “ransomware.tr”
# Define UDP agents for client, attacker, and C&C communication
set udp_client1 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $client1 $udp_client1
set udp_client2 [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $client2 $udp_client2
set udp_attacker [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $attacker $udp_attacker
set udp_cnc [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $cnc $udp_cnc
set udp_data_exfil [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $data_exfil $udp_data_exfil
# Connect attacker to clients and servers
$ns connect $udp_client1 $udp_attacker
$ns connect $udp_client2 $udp_attacker
$ns connect $udp_attacker $udp_cnc
$ns connect $udp_attacker $udp_data_exfil
# Define CBR (Constant Bit Rate) traffic for clients and attacker
set cbr_client1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr_client1 set packetSize_ 512
$cbr_client1 set interval_ 0.5 ;# Normal traffic from client 1 (e.g., normal usage)
$cbr_client1 attach-agent $udp_client1
set cbr_client2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr_client2 set packetSize_ 512
$cbr_client2 set interval_ 0.5 ;# Normal traffic from client 2
$cbr_client2 attach-agent $udp_client2
# Start normal client traffic
$ns at 1.0 “$cbr_client1 start”
$ns at 1.5 “$cbr_client2 start”
# Define attacker behavior (scanning and ransomware infection)
proc ransomware_attack {attacker victim1 victim2 cnc exfil} {
global ns
# Attacker scans for vulnerable machines (victims) at 2.0 seconds
puts “Attacker starts scanning for vulnerable machines at 2.0 seconds.”
$ns at 2.0 “$attacker send”
# Attacker infects Client 1 and 2 (simulated by sending UDP packets)
puts “Attacker infects Client 1 at 2.5 seconds.”
$ns at 2.5 “$attacker send $victim1”
puts “Attacker infects Client 2 at 3.0 seconds.”
$ns at 3.0 “$attacker send $victim2”
# Attacker contacts C&C server at 4.0 seconds
puts “Attacker contacts Command & Control (C&C) server at 4.0 seconds.”
$ns at 4.0 “$attacker send $cnc”
# Attacker exfiltrates data at 5.0 seconds
puts “Attacker sends stolen data to Data Exfiltration server at 5.0 seconds.”
$ns at 5.0 “$attacker send $exfil”
}
# Schedule ransomware attack from the attacker
$ns at 2.0 “ransomware_attack \$udp_attacker \$udp_client1 \$udp_client2 \$udp_cnc \$udp_data_exfil”
# Stop all traffic after 10 seconds
$ns at 10.0 “$cbr_client1 stop”
$ns at 10.0 “$cbr_client2 stop”
# Trace file for recording the simulation events
set tracefile [open “ransomware.tr” w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
# NAM file for network animation
set namfile [open “ransomware.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 ransomware.nam &
exit 0
}
# Finish the simulation after 12 seconds
$ns at 12.0 “finish”
# Run the simulation
$ns run
Step 4: Explanation of the Script
- Network Setup:
- The network includes two clients (client1 and client2) that is one attacker, a Command and Control (C&C) server, and a data exfiltration server.
- Duplex links are made amongst the nodes including 1Mb bandwidth and 10ms delay.
- Normal Client Traffic:
- The clients are transmitting the normal traffic (e.g., user activity) utilizing UDP agents and CBR (Constant Bit Rate) traffic.
- The clients begin transmitting the packets at 1.0 and 1.5 seconds.
- Ransomware Attack:
- The attacker node executes the network scanning, infects the clients, and communicates including the C&C server and exfiltrates information to the data exfiltration server.
- The attack starts at 2.0 seconds, including scanning ensued by infection, C&C communication, and data exfiltration.
- Tracing and Visualization:
- A trace file (ransomware.tr) is made to record every network events.
- A NAM file (ransomware.nam) is created for envisioning the attack with the support of NAM.
Step 5: Run the Simulation
- We can save the script as ransomware.tcl.
- Execute the script in NS2:
ns ransomware.tcl
It will create two files:
- ransomware.tr: A trace file, which logs every network events.
- ransomware.nam: A NAM file for envisioning the attack within NAM.
Step 6: Visualize the Simulation Using NAM
To envision the ransomware attack in NAM:
nam ransomware.nam
In NAM, we will monitor:
- The clients transmitting normal traffic to the attacker.
- The attacker examining the network, infecting clients, communicating the C&C server, and then exfiltrating data to the exfiltration server.
Step 7: Analyze the Trace File
The trace file (ransomware.tr) will include in depth information regarding the following:
- Packet transmissions among the clients, attacker, and servers.
- Network scanning and infection behavior of the attacker.
- Command and Control (C&C) communication and data exfiltration actions.
We can examine the trace file utilizing the tools such as AWK, Python, or custom scripts to compute:
- Network traffic patterns for the period of the attack.
- The rate of infection and how rapidly the attacker spreads.
- The communication behavior including the Command and Control (C&C) server and the number of data exfiltrated.
Step 8: Enhance the Simulation
Below is a few ways to improve the simulation:
- Simulate Defense Mechanisms: Insert the Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) or firewalls to identify or block ransomware traffic.
- Simulate Different Network Attacks: Design other kinds of attacks, like data encryption, malware propagation, or phishing.
- Increase Network Complexity: Insert additional clients, servers, and network layers to replicate a larger-scale ransomware attack.
- Measure Performance Impact: Investigate how the attack impacts the network performance metrics like throughput, latency, and packet loss.
The above project covers the simulation process and network activities of ransomware attack projects that were simulated and analysed with the help of NS2 simulation tool. If you require extra details related to this subject, we will be shared. Our team of experts is really good at simulating Ransomware Attack Projects with the NS2 tool. At phdprime.com, we can handle different parts of a ransomware attack, such as command and control (C&C) communications, stealing data, and scanning networks. If you need help with this, check out phdprime.com, where our skilled team is ready to help you.
