Kernel-Level Active Darknet Monitoring via SYN-ACK Handshake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current darknet monitoring systems, particularly in passive mode, are ineffective in capturing organization-specific threat intelligence due to their inability to actively engage with attacker devices, leading to generic information and resource inefficiencies, especially during attacks like DRDoS and SYN-flood, where inbound packets originate from spoofed IP addresses.
Innovation Solution
A kernel-level active darknet monitoring system that receives TCP packets, determines dark IP addresses, modifies packet flags and types, and establishes a three-way handshake by sending SYN-ACK packets, allowing for real-time validation of attacker sources and segregation of spoofed traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If passive darknet monitoring is used, then resource consumption is reduced, but threat intelligence quality deteriorates due to inability to validate attacker sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies kernel network stack to automatically respond to darknet traffic with SYN-ACK packets, enabling self-validation of attacker sources without requiring external active scanning resources. The darknet sensor itself serves as the responder, eliminating the need for separate validation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of actively scanning for attackers (traditional active monitoring), the system inverts the approach by passively responding to incoming darknet traffic. This inversion allows validation of attacker sources while maintaining the resource efficiency of passive monitoring architecture.
2Loss of information
If active darknet monitoring is implemented, then threat intelligence quality improves through attacker engagement, but device complexity increases due to kernel-level modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The kernel network stack modification enables the existing network infrastructure to perform multiple functions: normal traffic routing, darknet traffic interception, and automated SYN-ACK response generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified kernel network stack acts as an intermediary between incoming darknet traffic and the network response mechanism. It intercepts packets destined for darknet addresses, validates them through SYN-ACK exchange, and routes them appropriately without requiring complex external validation systems.
3Productivity
If passive monitoring is used during DRDoS attacks, then resource drain occurs from processing spoofed packets, but active monitoring is needed to distinguish genuine attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation by sending SYN-ACK packets in advance before fully processing attack traffic. This preliminary action identifies spoofed sources early in the attack sequence, preventing resource drain from processing invalid packets later in the analysis pipeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where SYN-ACK responses are sent to apparent attackers, and the subsequent ACK receipts (or lack thereof) provide feedback on whether the traffic is genuine. This feedback loop enables real-time differentiation between spoofed and legitimate attack traffic.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for kernel-level active darknet monitoring in a communication network is disclosed. The system receives TCP packets from initiator devices and determines dark internet protocol (IP) addresses in the packets by comparing destination IP address with a plurality of IP addresses stored in a dark IP pool. If the packets are determined to be destined for dark IP addresses, the system modifies flag and type in socket buffer and routing entry associated with packets. The system retrieves outbound interface IP addresses and creates a socket corresponding to the retrieved outbound interface IP addresses, for transmitting a SYN-ACK packet corresponding to the TCP packets. The system is configured to monitor dark IP addresses received through network traffic. Finally, the system outputs the SYN-ACK packet to initiator devices to establish a three-way handshake. The system receives an ACK from initiator devices (attackers) to establish a 3-way handshake.