Dynamic IP Address Rotation for Moving Target Defense
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices with static IP addresses are vulnerable to remote attacks, such as denial-of-service (DoS) and remote exploits, as attackers can easily discover and maintain access to the IP address, leading to potential packet loss and prolonged attack durations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a moving target defense system that dynamically changes the IP address of a server at a predefined interval, combined with an intrusion detection system to identify attackers and prevent access, while avoiding packet losses and static address rotation intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a static IP address is used for a computing device, then the device has stable and predictable network connectivity, but the device becomes vulnerable to remote attacks as attackers can easily discover and maintain access to the IP address
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static IP address configuration to a dynamic one where the IP address changes periodically. The system implements a moving target defense mechanism that randomly selects new IP addresses from a pool at predetermined intervals, making the network target unpredictable for attackers while maintaining connectivity through binding update protocols that inform clients of the address changes.
2Device complexity
If the IP address is changed at a constant time period (static address rotation interval), then the defense mechanism is simple to implement, but packet loss occurs due to address collisions and the attack prevention is less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic address rotation intervals where the system adjusts the timing of IP address changes based on detected attack patterns and network conditions. Instead of a fixed constant interval, the system can accelerate address rotation when attacks are detected, extending the interval during normal operation to reduce packet loss while maintaining security effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic and provide information about attack patterns back to the address rotation mechanism. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust address rotation timing dynamically - accelerating rotation when attacks are detected and slowing down during normal operation - thereby optimizing both security effectiveness and packet delivery reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the IP address is changed frequently to prevent attacks, then attacker access is limited, but legitimate clients may experience connection interruptions and packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing binding update relationships between the server and legitimate clients before address changes occur. When an address rotation is initiated, the system first notifies bound clients of the upcoming address change through binding update messages, allowing them to update their routing tables in advance. This preliminary notification mechanism prevents connection interruptions for legitimate traffic while maintaining frequent address rotation for attack prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to implement a moving target defense for a server computer. The server computer can be provided both a permanent IP address and a temporary IP address. The temporary IP address can be used when communicating with client computers connected to the server computer. The temporary IP address can be dynamically changed at a predetermined interval that can be varied based on conditions at the server computer. An intrusion detection system can be used with the moving target defense systems and methods to identify attacks on the server computer based on the temporary IP address(es) provided by the server computer. When an attack is identified, the corresponding client computer is determined based on the temporary IP address and the client computer is placed on a blacklist that is not provided with new temporary IP addresses when the server computer changes temporary IP address.