BGP Path Hijacking Attack On A Software-Defined Network ✓ Solved

BGP Path Hijacking Attack on a Software Defined Network

BGP Path Hijacking Attack on a Software Defined Network In this lab, you will install the Mininet virtual machine on VirtualBox. Mininet is an SDN testing platform. Then, you will emulate Autonomous Systems (AS) by using Mininet. After launching Mininet on VirtualBox, you will create a network composed of 4 Autonomous Systems and then leverage a "BGP path hijacking attack". Remember that routing in BGP has been performed by using Autonomous Systems.

Lab instructions: 1) Install VirtualBox from this page: 2) Follow the instructions on this page: After downloading the mininet-tutorial-vm-64bit.zip file, extract it and then double click on mininet-tutorial.ovf. This step will configure the virtual machine image on Virtual Box. Skip the second command (git clone [email protected] :jvimal/bgp.git) in Step 1.

Evaluation: In a Word document: 1) Take the screenshot of the website.sh script terminal window after completing Step 5 and paste it into the Word document. 2) Summarize what you have done in this laboratory. 3) Describe the BGP path hijacking attack. Please use APA style formatting.

Paper For Above Instructions

In the burgeoning field of network security, understanding the implications of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) vulnerabilities is essential. This paper describes a laboratory exercise aimed at demonstrating a BGP path hijacking attack utilizing the Mininet virtual environment. The goal is to set up an emulated environment consisting of multiple Autonomous Systems (AS) to better comprehend how BGP operates and the potential vulnerabilities it presents.

Setting Up the Environment

The first step in the laboratory involved installing VirtualBox, a widely-used virtualization software that allows users to run multiple operating systems on a single hardware platform. The specific version of VirtualBox can be downloaded from its official website. Once VirtualBox was installed, the next crucial part of the setup was the installation of Mininet, a network emulation tool tailored for software-defined networking (SDN).

After downloading the mininet-tutorial-vm-64bit.zip file, the next step was to extract the files and import the '.ovf' (Open Virtualization Format) file into VirtualBox. This process sets up the virtual machine with the necessary configurations for Mininet to operate efficiently. By double-clicking on the mininet-tutorial.ovf file, the virtual machine image configures itself within VirtualBox, preparing it for the laboratory tasks.

Creating Autonomous Systems

Following the successful installation of the virtual machine, I proceeded to emulate four Autonomous Systems in Mininet. This step involved creating a network infrastructure that resembles the internet's routing dynamics. Each Autonomous System can be thought of as a unique entity that manages its own routing policies and is interconnected with other AS through BGP.

With the network in place, I utilized the provided scripts to initiate the configurations and connections among the Autonomous Systems. The different AS were given specific identifiers and configured to exchange routing information through BGP. Understanding these elements is crucial as BGP facilitates the exchange of routing information between different AS, thereby enabling data to traverse the complex pathways that constitute the internet.

Performing the BGP Path Hijacking Attack

Having set the stage with the required emulations, I executed the BGP path hijacking attack. A BGP path hijacking occurs when a rogue AS falsely announces the presence of a more optimal route to a destination network that it does not actually control. This misdirection can lead to traffic interception, eavesdropping, and in some cases, a complete denial of service.

During the lab exercise, I executed a script designed to manipulate the BGP routing tables of the emulated AS. By injecting incorrect routing information, I was able to reroute packets destined for one AS through another, demonstrating how an attacker could exploit the inherent trust model of BGP to disrupt network operations. This exercise not only conveyed the mechanics of such attacks but also illustrated the profound implications these vulnerabilities may have on global internet security.

Summary of Laboratory Activities

Throughout this laboratory, I successfully completed the setup of Mininet within a VirtualBox environment, emulated four Autonomous Systems, and executed a BGP path hijacking attack. The lab reinforced my understanding of BGP's functionality while illuminating the security vulnerabilities that can arise if BGP is not properly secured. Additionally, I took a screenshot of the terminal after executing the script to capture the moment when the hijacking was confirmed, which is an essential aspect of documenting the experiment and results.

Conclusion

BGP path hijacking attacks represent a significant threat to network integrity and security. Understanding how to simulate such attacks within a controlled environment like Mininet provides valuable insights into the necessary precautions that network administrators need to implement to safeguard their systems. Future research should focus on the development of more secure BGP innovations and protocols that minimize vulnerabilities while ensuring robust inter-AS communications.

References

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