IPv6 Interface Identifier Remote Signaling via ICMP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote signaling methods for IPv6 protocols become less effective over time as communication protocols and mechanisms evolve, necessitating a more robust and adaptive approach for covert data communication.
Innovation Solution
The method involves embedding and transmitting covert information using the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address, specifically utilizing the Interface Identifier (IID) to reference a target memory location on a destination node, allowing for the execution of executable code remotely, even in scenarios where standard management protocols are blocked or malicious software is present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard management protocols are used for remote signaling, then communication is straightforward and easy to implement, but these protocols become blocked by malicious software and lose effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ICMP echo requests (ping packets) as an intermediary mechanism to bypass blocked management protocols. Instead of directly using blocked protocols like SNMP or SSH for remote signaling, the system embeds signaling information within ICMP packets that are less likely to be blocked, allowing communication to pass through malicious software filters while still achieving the desired remote control effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space by using ICMP protocol parameters (echo request/response mechanisms) instead of traditional management protocol parameters. By encoding signaling information in ICMP packet fields and using TTL (Time To Live) value manipulation as a carrier for remote commands, the system transitions from blocked protocol parameters to alternative parameters that maintain effectiveness against malware
2Reliability
If covert information is embedded in IPv6 addresses, then remote signaling can bypass blocked protocols, but the complexity of address configuration and verification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes IPv6 addresses serve multiple functions: their primary function for network identification and an additional covert function for embedding signaling information and memory location references. The Interface Identifier portion of the IPv6 address is used to encode target memory locations and executable code references, allowing a single address structure to perform both standard networking and covert signaling without requiring separate communication channels
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the destination node's own memory structure and address space to facilitate the covert communication. By embedding memory location references in IPv6 addresses that point to pre-configured executable code on the destination node, the target system essentially services its own remote control by executing code at the referenced memory locations without requiring external intervention beyond the initial packet delivery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for remote signaling are disclosed. One method can comprise receiving, by a destination node, a data packet having a source address associated with source node comprising an interface identifier of the source node, comparing at least a portion of the source address to one or more memory locations of the destination node, identifying a select memory location of the one or more memory locations based upon the comparing at least the portion of the source address to the one or more memory locations of the destination node, and causing execution of an executable instruction stored at the identified memory location.