A Fragmentation Header Attack is a type of network attack that exploits the way IP packets are fragmented and reassembled. Attackers manipulate the fragmentation process to create overlapping fragments or fragments with incorrect offsets, causing the target system to misinterpret the data during reassembly. This can lead to data corruption, system crashes, or even the execution of malicious code.
Example of a Fragmentation Header Attack:
1. Attacker: Sends multiple fragmented IP packets to the target system.
2. Manipulation: These fragments have overlapping offsets or incorrect sizes, meaning parts of the data in one fragment overlap with parts of another.
3. Reassembly: The target system attempts to reassemble the fragments into the original packet.
4. Impact: The overlapping or incorrect data causes confusion during reassembly, potentially leading to data corruption, system crashes, or security vulnerabilities being exploited.
How to Protect Against Fragmentation Header Attacks:
1. Packet Inspection: Use firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to inspect incoming packets for anomalies, such as overlapping fragments or incorrect offsets.
2. Fragmentation Controls: Configure network devices to enforce proper fragmentation rules and discard packets with overlapping fragments or incorrect offsets.
3. Software Updates: Keep all systems and network devices updated with the latest security patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
4. Network Monitoring: Continuously monitor network traffic for unusual patterns that may indicate an ongoing attack.
5. Security Policies: Implement strict security policies that include rules for handling fragmented packets.
By employing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of Fragmentation Header Attacks and enhance your network’s overall security.