What Is a Packet Sniffing Attack?
A hostile entity grabs network packets in a packet sniffing assault (also known as a "sniffing attack") with the goal of intercepting or stealing data traffic that may have been left unencrypted.
How a Packet Sniffing Attack Works
Data thefts known as sniffing attacks are committed by observing network traffic using packet sniffers, which allow unauthorised access to and reading of unencrypted data. When the data packets go across a computer network, they are gathered. Packet sniffers are the sniffing tools or media utilised in this sniffing attack to gather network data packets.
In general, a packet sniffer is a piece of hardware or software that records packets to monitor network activity. It may also be referred to as a protocol analyzer, network analyzer, or packet analyzer. Data packet streams moving between networked systems and the Internet, as well as between networked systems and connected computers, are examined by sniffers. These packets are intended for certain machines, but by using a packet sniffer in "promiscuous mode," IT specialists, end users, or malicious intruders can examine every packet, regardless of destination.
Sniffers can be set up in one of two ways. The first option is "unfiltered," which will record every conceivable packet and store it to a local hard disc for later review. The next option, "filtered," instructs analyzers to only gather packets containing certain data components. Sniffing is widely used by system administrators to troubleshoot or examine the network. However packet sniffing attack is also known as, this technique may be used by hackers to access a network, which could result in a packet sniffing attack.
How does packet sniffing work?
Every computer network has a network interface card (nic), a piece of hardware that houses a circuit board. By default, nics ignore traffic that is not addressed. The nics must be in promiscuous mode, which permits the nics to accept all network traffic, in order to be vulnerable to sniffing attacks. By deciphering the encrypted information included in the data packets, sniffers are able to listen in on all traffic moving through the nics. Weakly encrypted data packets increase the accessibility of sniffing attacks.
There are two different sorts of sniffing: active and passive.
- Active sniffing: To overburden the switch content address memory (CAM) table, address resolution protocols (ARPs) are introduced into the network. As a result, genuine communication is diverted to different ports, giving the attacker access to sniff switch traffic. Attacks against the spoofing protocol, DHCP, and the poisoning of the domain name system (DNS) all employ active sniffer techniques.
- Passive sniffing:It is usually applied in hub-connected networks and consists primarily of listening. In this type of network, all hosts can see the traffic. Hackers frequently use one of two passive sniffing techniques to covertly monitor a company's network.
- Hackers can use a sniffer to passively "spy" on all the traffic passing through a system in the case of companies that employ hubs to link several devices on a single network. The detection of this kind of passive sniffing is quite challenging.
- However, when a larger network is involved, using many linked computers and network switches to solely direct data to certain devices, passive monitoring does not give access to all network traffic. Sniffing would be worthless in this situation, whether for legal or illicit goals, forcing hackers to circumvent network switches' restrictions, which calls for active sniffing.
Methods Used for Packet Sniffing Attacks
Threat actors may use a variety of techniques while conducting a passive sniffing attack, including:
Methods Used for Packet Sniffing Attacks
1. Password sniffing
A form of cyberattack known as password sniffing involves watching the victim's connection to a remote database they are attempting to access. This happens frequently on public Wi-Fi networks since it is simple to eavesdrop on weak or unencrypted conversations there. the aim, as the name suggests, is to discover the victim's password. In a man-in-the-middle (MITM) cyberattack called password sniffing, the user's password is taken after the connection has been breached.
2. TCP session hijacking
By discreetly obtaining the session ID and impersonating the authorised user, session hijacking, often referred to as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) session hijacking, takes control of an online user session. Once the attacker gets the user's session ID, they can pretend to be that user and do whatever action that user is authorised to perform on the network.
One of the most fundamental methods used in application-layer session hijacking is session sniffing. Using a sniffer like Wireshark or a proxy like OWASP Zed, the attacker records network data that includes the session ID between a website and a client. Once the attacker obtains this value, they can use it to their advantage to gain unauthorised access.
3. DNS poisoning
A deceptive cyberattack known as DNS poisoning, also known as DNS cache poisoning or DNS spoofing, involves hackers diverting internet traffic to phishing websites or fake web servers. Both people and businesses are at risk from DNS poisoning. When a device has been harmed by DNS poisoning (more specifically, DNS cache poisoning), it may be challenging to resolve the issue because the device will automatically go to the malicious site.
Additionally, DNS poisoning might be challenging for users to identify, especially if hackers create a fake website that looks real. Therefore, in many cases, users are unlikely to realize the website is a scam and continue to enter sensitive information without realizing they are endangering themselves or their businesses.
4. JavaScript card sniffing attacks
In a JavaScript sniffing attack, the attacker inserts lines of code (i.e., a script) into a website, which then gathers user-submitted personal data from online forms—typically, payment forms for online stores. The most often targeted user data includes phone numbers, credit card numbers, names, addresses, and other personal information.
Because it also depends on malicious JavaScript, foam jacking is a type of attack comparable to JavaScript sniffing but less concentrated. While JavaScript sniffing attacks are created primarily for online payment systems, foam jacking attacks target any sort of information in any online form.
5. Address resolution protocol (ARP) Sniffing
A stateless mechanism called ARP transforms IP addresses into MAC addresses, which are used for machine media access control. It is applied to the conversion of addresses between various networks. Any networked device that requires connectivity will broadcast ARP requests to find the MAC addresses of other computers on the network.
The process of sending phoney ARP messages over a local area network (LAN) is referred to as "poisoning of ARP" (also known as "ARP spoofing," "ARP poison routing," and "ARP cache poisoning"). These assaults are meant to divert traffic to an attacker instead of its intended target. ARP-enabled networks are the only ones that can use this technique, which links the attacker's MAC address to the target's IP address.
6. DHCP Attack
A DHCP attack is a type of active sniffing used by attackers to obtain and modify sensitive data. A client/server protocol called DHCP assigns a computer an IP address. Along with the IP address, the DHCP server also returns configuration information like the default gateway and subnet mask. A DHCP client device starts broadcasting traffic as it starts up, which can be intercepted and altered by a packet sniffing attack.
Packet Sniffing Attack Examples
Here are five instances of packet sniffing attacks that hackers might use:
Packet Sniffing Attack Examples
1. BIOPASS RAT and Cobalt Strike
Cybersecurity experts discovered a harmful operation that used a watering hole attack to target Chinese online gaming companies in 2021. It might either launch Cobalt Strike beacons or the previously undiscovered BIOPASS RAT Python-based backdoor. This used the live-streaming function offered by Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) Studio to capture the display feeds of its victims.
An initial social engineering tactic was used in the BIOPASS and Cobalt Strike assault to trick website visitors into downloading a loader for out-of-date software. The installer downloads the application itself, but it also sets up scheduled actions to install the BIOPASS RAT virus on the computer.
2. Packet-sniffing as a technique for hacking Wi-Fi networks
It took a while to break the WPA/WPA2 encryption systems. It required physically situating oneself to use an over-the-air tool to intercept the data exchanged between the client-server and Wi-Fi router during the four-way handshake procedure needed for authorisation while also waiting for a valid user to log into the secure network. This handshake verifies the pairwise master key identifier (PMKID) when a user connects to an access point using a WPA/WPA2-secured router.
On the other hand, a unique packet sniffing strategy enables an attacker to instantly get the PMKID from the router. This happens immediately without requiring the user to log in or acquire visibility into the completion of the four-way handshake. Only WPA and WPA2-secured routers using the 802.11i/p/q/r protocols and roaming functionality based on PMKID are compatible with this new cracking method. Threat actors could utilise packet sniffers like Kismet and CommView for such assaults.
3. The history-sniffing attack
In a report published in 2018 titled "Browser history re:visited," researchers showed how two unpatched vulnerabilities may be used by website owners to monitor millions of users. In addition to tagging visitors with a tracking cookie that will persist even after users erase all other cookies, the vulnerabilities allow websites to compile a list of previously visited URLs even after users clean their browser history. Ironically, the strategies made use of newly added security features in Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Even while these assaults were restricted to these two browsers, they could ultimately spread to other widely used browsers.
4. Password sniffing cyberattack
A phishing-based cyber campaign by Russian-based APT28 hackers targeting hotel guests in Europe and the Middle East was identified by security consulting company FireEye in 2017. The assault makes use of an infected document, Wi-Fi sniffer, and the EternalBlue exploit, which relates to a number of Microsoft Software vulnerabilities and was created by the US National Security Agency.
The same year, this weakness was also used in the WannaCry ransomware assault. A macro that releases code into the hotel's network is launched when a user opens the compromised document. Then, it travels across networks using EternalBlue while pretending to be websites the victim has visited in order to collect usernames and passwords.
5. Heartland Payment Systems security breach
In 2009, Heartland Payment Systems suffered a security compromise that gave sniffers access to credit cards information. This was another major sniffing assault. A $12.6 million punishment was imposed on the online payment processing company for failing to sufficiently safeguard clients from the sniffer assault.
Packet Sniffing Attack Prevention Best Practices
Unfortunately, packet sniffing attacks are rather frequent since hackers can design them using readily available network packet analyzers. However, there are several safety measures you may take in 2023 to protect yourself from this kind of danger:
Packet Sniffing Attack Prevention Best Practices
1. Avoid using unsecured networks
An unprotected network lacks firewall and antivirus software, therefore the data sent across the network is unencrypted and accessible. When consumers expose their devices to insecure Wi-Fi networks, sniffing attacks may be initiated. Attackers set up packet sniffers on such unsecured networks, which intercept and read any data sent across the network. By creating a false "free" public Wi-Fi network, an attacker may also keep track of network activity.
2. Using a VPN will help you encrypt your communications.
By making it more challenging for hackers to decipher packet data, encryption increases security. Sniffer efforts can be stopped effectively by encrypting all incoming and outgoing traffic before exchanging it over a virtual private network (VP). A technology that encrypts all network communication is a VPN. Anyone watching or sniffing on people would not be able to see the websites they visit or the data they send and receive.
3. Regularly monitor and scan enterprise networks
To improve the network environment and identify sniffer attacks, network managers should safeguard their networks by scanning and monitoring them using bandwidth monitoring or device auditing. They can make use of technologies for traffic analysis, network mapping, and detecting network behaviour anomalies.
In addition to network monitoring, one should employ a strong firewall. It's recommended to keep a firewall active at all times in order to maximise device and network security. Large-scale cyberattacks have been demonstrated to be prevented by installing a firewall since these devices often block efforts to sniff the computer system from accessing the network or data.
4. Adopt a sniffer detection application
A sniffing assault may be detected and prevented before it can do any harm with the help of a sniffer detection programme. A few of the well-known applications to check out are:
- Anti-Sniff: L0pht Heavy Industries has a programme called Anti Sniff. It can keep an eye on a network and recognise whether a PC is acting promiscuously.
- Neped: It uses a flaw in the way Linux PCs implement the ARP protocol to find promiscuous network devices on the network.
- ARP Watch: ARPWatch records Ethernet/IP address pairings. This is essential if consumers think they are being ARP-spoofed.
- Snort: The excellent intrusion detection system Snort has an ARP-spoof variant that may be used to find instances of ARP spoofing.
5. In order to browse safely online, look for HTTPS protocols.
Websites that utilise encryption typically start with "HTTPS" (hypertext transfer protocol secure), signifying that user interaction there is secure. Websites that begin with "HTTP" are unable to provide the same level of security. The "s" in "HTTPS" stands for secure and denotes that a secure sockets layer (SSL) connection is being used. By doing this, the data is guaranteed to be encrypted before being delivered to a server. To prevent packet sniffing, it is thus recommended to only visit websites that start with "HTTPS".
6. your endpoint defenses should be strengthened.
Corporate networks are connected through laptops, PCs, and mobile devices, which are potential entry points for security threats like packet sniffers. Endpoint security software must be used with such strategies. Additionally, a powerful antivirus programme may prevent malware from getting into a PC by identifying anything that shouldn't be there, such a sniffer. Additionally, it might help the individual get rid of it.
Another option for giving your devices essential antivirus protection is internet security suites. The top suites also come with extra features and tools that are not included in basic products, such integrated VPNs, password managers, recovery discs, secure file vaults for your most important data, and secure browsers for online banking and shopping.
7. Implement an intrusion detection system
Software called an intrusion detection system (IDS) scans network traffic for any unusual activity and provides a warning system for suspected intruders. It is software that examines a system or network for malicious activity or rule violations. A security information and event management (SIEM) system is often used to centrally notify any potentially hazardous behaviour or breach to an administrator. IDS checks the network for ARP spoofing and seizes traffic on systems that employ bogus ARP addresses.
Takeaways
In a society where we increasingly rely on networked technology to conduct personal and professional activities, sniffing poses a serious risk. Given how much private information is published online and how hackers might access data traffic going over a network, it is essential to guard against packet sniffing attacks. Large and connected companies may be compromised by sophisticated sniffers that even compromise Internet of Things (IoT) equipment.
Monitoring the network environment periodically and keeping an eye out for abnormalities or unexpected behaviour is the best way to prevent packet sniffing. Even the smallest change in network behaviour may be detected by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, allowing IT managers to take prompt action.
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