ICS Protocol Detection Using Historical Packet Hash Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems face challenges in identifying unknown protocols, leading to wastage of computing and networking resources due to the need to re-collect data after protocol identification.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device uses a hash table with lists of protocol detectors generated from historical data to quickly identify unknown protocols by comparing packet data with the hash table, allowing for efficient resource conservation and port-agnostic protocol identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional data collection methods are used to identify unknown protocols, then protocol identification can be achieved, but computing and networking resources are wasted due to the need to re-collect data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting and analyzing protocol data in advance to build a comprehensive protocol database before actual monitoring begins. This pre-collected database contains protocol signatures, patterns, and characteristics that enable rapid identification without requiring repeated data collection, thereby eliminating resource wastage while maintaining identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of protocol data structures and signatures from historical data and stores them in an optimized database format. These copied protocol representations can be quickly matched against live traffic without requiring re-collection of original data, reducing computing and networking resource consumption while preserving protocol identification capability
2Measurement precision
If manual protocol identification processes are used, then detailed analysis can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and subject to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically performing protocol identification through algorithmic analysis of packet data against the pre-built database. The automated system eliminates human subjectivity and error while operating continuously without fatigue, maintaining high accuracy through consistent application of detection rules while significantly reducing identification time compared to manual processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical analysis processes with automated electronic detection algorithms. The algorithm automatically compares packet data against protocol signatures in the database, substituting human cognitive processes with machine-based pattern recognition that operates faster and more consistently, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining or improving analysis accuracy
3Loss of information
If comprehensive data collection is performed to ensure complete protocol information, then all protocol details can be captured, but networking resources are consumed unnecessarily for data that cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential protocol identification elements from packet data, such as signature patterns, header structures, and key field values, rather than collecting complete raw data streams. This extraction approach captures sufficient information for accurate protocol identification while minimizing networking resource consumption by transmitting and processing only the necessary data elements
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by focusing detection efforts on specific critical portions of packet data where protocol identifiers are most likely to be found, such as protocol headers and signature fields. Rather than uniformly analyzing all packet data, the system concentrates computational and networking resources on the most informative local regions, ensuring complete protocol information is captured where it matters most while reducing overall resource consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive a hash table that includes lists of protocol detectors, wherein the hash table is generated based on historical process data identifying potential process variables associated with an industrial control system. The device may receive a packet identifying potential process variables associated with the industrial control system, and may extract, from the packet, packet data identifying a source address, a destination address, a port, and a transport protocol. The device may compare the packet data with data in the hash table to identify a set of lists of protocol detectors, and may process the packet data, with the set of lists of protocol detectors, to determine a matching protocol, no matching protocol, or a potential matching protocol for the packet. The device may perform one or more actions based on determining the matching protocol, no matching protocol, or the potential matching protocol for the packet.