Hierarchical Mitigation of Denial of Service Attacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery systems face challenges in effectively mitigating distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks due to limited computing resources at edge nodes and the difficulty in distinguishing malicious traffic from legitimate traffic, leading to increased resource usage, ecological harm, and financial losses.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical mitigation structure is implemented, with progressively more aggressive mitigation techniques applied at different nodes within the communication network, allowing for early discard of attack traffic using low-cost methods at edge nodes and more complex methods closer to the target, optimizing resource usage and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aggressive mitigation techniques are applied at edge nodes to discard attack traffic early, then the effectiveness of attack mitigation is improved, but the computing resources required at edge nodes increase beyond available capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The mitigation system is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels (edge nodes, intermediate nodes, and core nodes). Each level applies appropriate mitigation techniques based on its computing capabilities, with edge nodes performing lightweight filtering and more aggressive mitigation occurring at nodes with greater resources. This segmentation allows effective attack mitigation without overwhelming edge node resources.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mitigation strategies are applied at different locations in the network hierarchy. Edge nodes use low-resource techniques such as simple rate limiting and basic packet filtering, while intermediate and core nodes with more computing power apply more aggressive techniques like complex traffic analysis and connection state tracking. This local quality approach optimizes resource usage while maintaining overall mitigation effectiveness.
2Reliability
If mitigation techniques discard traffic assumed to be part of an attack, then the protection against DoS attacks is improved, but legitimate traffic may be falsely identified and discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis and classification of traffic at edge nodes before it reaches intermediate and core nodes. By pre-processing traffic and identifying likely attack patterns early in the hierarchy, the system can apply more confident mitigation decisions later without risking false positives on legitimate traffic. This preliminary action reduces the burden on downstream nodes and improves overall accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical mitigation system incorporates feedback mechanisms where mitigation decisions and traffic patterns are analyzed across multiple levels. Information about traffic characteristics and attack patterns flows back through the hierarchy, allowing the system to refine its mitigation strategies and reduce false positives. This feedback loop enables continuous improvement in distinguishing attack traffic from legitimate traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described to enable mitigation of network attacks in communication networks. When a network attack is detected, packets within the communication network are routed through a hierarchical mitigation system, which includes at least two tiers of mitigation devices configured to apply mitigation techniques to the packets. Outer tiers of the hierarchical mitigation system (e.g., closer to an edge of the communication network) can apply simple mitigation techniques that are efficient even when distributed, and which provide early mitigation for attack packets while not requiring large amounts of computing resources. Inner tiers of the hierarchical mitigation system (e.g., closer to a destination device) can apply more complex mitigation systems that may require centralized application, and which provide more robust mitigation at a potentially higher computing resource cost.