How to Implement Network Forensics in ns2

To implement the network forensics in ns2, we have to detect the capable security incident, interference or other malevolent behaviors by simulating a network scenario where network traffic can be captured, assessed and examined. It is a vital segment of cybersecurity that concentrates on observing and assessing network traffic to find the reason of security breaches and other anomalous activities.

Refer to the manual to carry out Network Forensics with ns2. For customized services, feel free to reach out to us.

Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Network Forensics in NS2

  1. Understand Network Forensics Components:
  • Traffic Capture: The process of aggregating network packets as they traverse the network.
  • Analysis: Detect patterns, anomalies or evidence of malevolent activity by inspecting captured traffic.
  • Reporting: Filing the findings from the analysis like detecting the source of an attack or the techniques used.
  1. Set Up the NS2 Environment:
  • Make sure to install the ns2 on your computer.
  • Understand the concept of writing TCL scripts, as NS2 simulations are controlled via TCL.
  1. Define the Network Topology:
  • Set up nodes signifying the devices in the network containing normal users, capable attackers, and a forensic analysis node.

# Define the simulator

set ns [new Simulator]

# Create a trace file for capturing and analyzing network traffic

set tracefile [open forensics_trace.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

# Create a NAM file for animation and visualization

set namfile [open forensics_analysis.nam w]

$ns namtrace-all-wireless $namfile 10

# Set up the network parameters

set opt(chan)   Channel/WiredChannel         ;# Wired channel for LAN

set opt(prop)   Propagation/ConstantSpeed    ;# Propagation model for wired

set opt(netif)  Phy/WiredPhy                 ;# Network interface type for wired

set opt(mac)    Mac/802_3                    ;# Ethernet MAC type

set opt(ifq)    Queue/DropTail/PriQueue      ;# Interface queue type

set opt(ll)     LL                           ;# Link layer type

set opt(ifqlen) 50                           ;# Queue size

set opt(delay)  10ms                         ;# Link delay for wired network

# Create a topography object

create-god 10

# Configure the nodes (e.g., network devices)

$ns node-config -llType $opt(ll) \

-macType $opt(mac) \

-ifqType $opt(ifq) \

-ifqLen $opt(ifqlen) \

-propType $opt(prop) \

-phyType $opt(netif) \

-channelType $opt(chan) \

-topoInstance $topo \

-agentTrace ON \

-routerTrace ON \

-macTrace OFF \

-movementTrace OFF

# Create network nodes

set node1 [$ns node]  ;# Network Node 1 (e.g., server)

set node2 [$ns node]  ;# Network Node 2 (e.g., client)

set node3 [$ns node]  ;# Network Node 3 (e.g., router)

# Create an attacker node

set attacker [$ns node] ;# Attacker Node

# Create a forensic analysis node

set forensic_node [$ns node] ;# Forensic Analysis Node

# Set initial positions for the nodes (optional for wired networks)

$node1 set X_ 100.0

$node1 set Y_ 100.0

$node1 set Z_ 0.0

$node2 set X_ 200.0

$node2 set Y_ 100.0

$node2 set Z_ 0.0

$node3 set X_ 300.0

$node3 set Y_ 100.0

$node3 set Z_ 0.0

$attacker set X_ 400.0

$attacker set Y_ 100.0

$attacker set Z_ 0.0

$forensic_node set X_ 500.0

$forensic_node set Y_ 100.0

$forensic_node set Z_ 0.0

  1. Simulate Normal and Malicious Traffic:
  • Execute both normal communication amongst network nodes and malevolent behaviors from the attacker node.

# Create duplex links between nodes with defined bandwidth and delay

$ns duplex-link $node1 $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $node2 $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $attacker $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $forensic_node $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

# Normal traffic: Node 1 to Node 2 via Node 3

set tcp_node1 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $node1 $tcp_node1

set tcp_node2_sink [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $node2 $tcp_node2_sink

$ns connect $tcp_node1 $tcp_node2_sink

# Start normal communication

set app_node1 [new Application/FTP]

$app_node1 attach-agent $tcp_node1

$ns at 2.0 “$app_node1 start”

# Malicious traffic: DoS attack from Attacker to Node 1

set udp_attacker [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $attacker $udp_attacker

set null_sink [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $node1 $null_sink

$ns connect $udp_attacker $null_sink

# Start the DoS attack at time 3.0 seconds

set dos_attack [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$dos_attack set packetSize_ 1024

$dos_attack set interval_ 0.001  ;# High-frequency packets to simulate DoS

$dos_attack attach-agent $udp_attacker

$ns at 3.0 “$dos_attack start”

  1. Capture Network Traffic for Forensic Analysis:
  • Capture all network traffic that will later be assessed for forensic purposed by using the trace file.

# Traffic is already being captured in the trace file: forensics_trace.tr

# This trace file will serve as the evidence for forensic analysis

  1. Analyze Captured Data (Forensic Analysis):
  • Find anomalies like DoS attack by assessing the captured network traffic, after the simulation.

# Example forensic analysis procedure

proc forensic_analysis {tracefile} {

puts “Starting forensic analysis on $tracefile”

# Here you can implement logic to parse and analyze the trace file

# For example, searching for anomalies in traffic patterns, unusual packet sizes, etc.

}

# Trigger forensic analysis after the simulation

$ns at 5.0 “forensic_analysis forensics_trace.tr”

  1. Run the Simulation:
  • State when the simulation should complete and run it. The finish procedure will close the trace files and debut NAM for visualization.

# Define the finish procedure

proc finish {} {

global ns tracefile namfile

$ns flush-trace

close $tracefile

close $namfile

exec nam forensics_analysis.nam &

exit 0

}

# Schedule the finish procedure at 10 seconds

$ns at 10.0 “finish”

# Run the simulation

$ns run

  1. Analyze the Results:
  • Review the forensics_trace.tr file that includes all network traffic during the simulation. Evaluate this file to identify signs of malevolent activity like unusual traffic patterns, packet floods, or spoofed packets.
  • Process the trace file and detect vital forensic evidence by using the forensic analysis node.
  1. Customize and Extend:
  • Personalize the simulation by:
    • Executing earliest forensic analysis methods like anomaly detection, signature-based detection, or correlation of numerous data sources.
    • Imitating a broader range of attacks like ARP spoofing, DNS poisoning, or data exfiltration, and evaluating their influence.
    • Make certain that the captured evidence stay unchanged and admissible by attaching tools for data preservation.

Example Summary:

In this simulation, we will configure the simple network forensics simulation in ns2 that aims on finding the network traffic and evaluating it for forensic purposes. It briefs how network behavior, both normal and malevolent can be observed and estimated to detect the potential security situations.

Advanced Considerations:

  • For more extreme situations, consider incorporating NS2 with specialized forensic analysis tools or building custom modules to replicate advanced forensic processes includes timeline analysis, log correlation, or memory forensics.
  • Expand the recreation to add features like real-time traffic analysis, automated incident response, or incorporation with forensic data from other sources like logs from firewalls or intrusion detection systems.

Debugging and Optimization:

  • Make certain to capture all the related network traffic in the trace file by using the trace-all command.
  • Improve the forensic analysis process by refining detection algorithms, filtering out inappropriate data, and aiming on critical forensic indicators for quicker and more precise outcomes.

With this approach, we can identify and capture the malevolent activities performed in the network by following the provided demonstration process on how to implement network forensics architecture in the ns2 and how to customize and enhance it