Passive Network Sensor Emulating Client Addresses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital communication network security detection methods are often detectable by malicious actors, leading to detection avoidance actions, and require prior knowledge of network configurations, making them ineffective in hostile or contested environments.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device that can automatically discover and participate in network communications by determining and emulating network addresses, allowing it to monitor and filter data without being detectable, using a router to connect to an external network and adapt to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If overt threat detection techniques are used, then detection capabilities are provided, but malicious actors can detect the presence and take avoidance actions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device uses an emulated network address of a legitimate client as an intermediary to mask its true identity. By routing communications through this intermediary address, the sensor can monitor network traffic and detect threats without malicious actors knowing it is a detection device, thus preventing detection avoidance actions
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor creates a copy of a legitimate client's network address and uses this copied identity to participate in network communications. This copying allows the sensor to blend in with legitimate traffic, maintaining detection capabilities while avoiding detection by malicious actors who cannot distinguish the sensor from the emulated client
2Measurement precision
If prior knowledge of network configuration is required, then detection accuracy may be improved, but the method becomes ineffective in hostile or contested environments
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device automatically discovers network addresses and configures itself by monitoring network traffic and identifying active clients. It performs reassessment to determine when emulated clients are no longer active and selects new targets autonomously. This self-service capability eliminates the need for prior network configuration knowledge while maintaining detection accuracy in hostile environments
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor dynamically adapts to changing network conditions by continuously monitoring client activity and reassessing which addresses to emulate. When network conditions change or emulated clients become inactive, the sensor automatically updates its emulation targets. This dynamic adaptation maintains both detection accuracy and effectiveness in evolving hostile environments without requiring pre-configured network knowledge
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sensor emulates client addresses to remain undetected, then stealth is achieved, but network communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs partial emulation by only copying network address identifiers (MAC addresses) rather than fully replicating client behavior and application-layer communications. This partial action achieves the essential stealth function of masking identity while avoiding the complexity of complete behavior emulation, maintaining simplicity in the communication mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for discovering a network using a sensor installed in the network, where the network is communicatively coupled to an external network by a router, are presented. The techniques can include: determining, automatically and by the sensor, a network address of the router; detecting, automatically and by the sensor, a network address of a client in the network; assessing, automatically and by the sensor, that the client in the network is actively communicating on the network; communicating, by the sensor, with the network address of the router; and participating, by the sensor, in communications on the network by emulating the network address of the client and by using the network address of the router.