What is Packet Sniffing? Types, Examples, and Best Practices

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Example of Packet Sniffing Attack

A good example of a packet sniffing attack is DNS cache poisoning, DNS is the protocol that translates the domains into IP for the understanding of the computer and to avoid unneeded lookup browser stores the IP address of such servers in their cache, in DNS cache poisoning attacker sniffs the request through Burpsuite or other interception tools and modify it to malicious DNS servers and cache stores that in this way the DNS amplification type of attacks can be performed. 

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Types of Packet Sniffing Attacks

Generally, there are two types of sniffing attacks, depending upon the tools that are used to carry out the attack.  

1. Hardware Packet Sniffers

A hardware packet sniffer is intended to connect to and analyze a network. A hardware packet sniffer can ensure that no packets are lost owing to filtering, routing, or other purposeful or unintentional reasons by inserting directly into the physical network at the proper point. A hardware packet sniffer either stores or transmits the intercepted packets to a collector, which logs the data gathered by the hardware packet sniffer for further analysis. 

2. Software Packet Sniffers

Nowadays, the majority of packet sniffers are software-based. While each network interface connected to a network can receive all network traffic that passes across it, most are configured to not do so as it can be used to send malicious code. A software packet sniffer modifies this setting, causing the network interface to receive all network traffic up the stack. For most network adapters, this is known as promiscuous mode. Once in promiscuous mode, a packet sniffer's functionality consists of isolating, reassembling, and recording any software packets that flow through the interface, independent of their destination addresses. All traffic that goes across the physical network interface is collected by software packet sniffers. That traffic is then recorded and utilized.

How Does Packet Sniffing Work?

Let us briefly look at how packet sniffing in cyber security is actually carried out at a fundamental level. A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component in any computer that allows it to connect with a network. Non-addressed traffic is ignored by default by NICs. Sniffing attacks necessitate the use of promiscuous mode on the NICs, which is a mode that allows the NICs to accept all network traffic (more on that later). By carrying out data packet sniffing and decoding the encoded information in data packets, sniffers may listen in on all communication travelling through the NICs. Weak or unencrypted data packets make sniffing attacks much more accessible for hackers. 

Sniffing can be done in two ways, active or passive.  

1. Active Sniffing

Active sniffing attacks employ the use of advanced pieces of hardware known as switches. Unlike hubs that send data to all ports even when it isn't needed, switches send data to specified MAC addresses of computers on a network. Active sniffing attacks are often initiated by injecting Address Resolution Protocols (ARPs) into a network in order to overflow the Switch Content Address Memory (CAM) table. The rerouted traffic to other ports allows the attacker to sniff the traffic from the switch. 

2. Passive Sniffing

This type of sniffing is generally carried out at the hub. Unlike active sniffing, the hub may be immediately injected with a sniffer device to simply collect data packets. However, hubs are rarely utilized nowadays, therefore passive sniffing attacks are also rarely recorded.

Uses of Packet Sniffing

We’ve already went over some of the malicious uses of Packet Sniffing, but there are other legitimate uses. Let’s take a quick look at both of the following:

1. Legal Uses

Networks are extremely complicated, with different sorts of packets flowing in, out, and across the networked machines. This complication makes it easy for things to go wrong. Packet sniffing tools provide network managers with real-time visibility into what is going on in their networks. These technologies assist them in monitoring network traffic, determining whether everything is functioning well, pinpointing bottlenecks, and providing the information required to troubleshoot problems or detect whether the systems are under malicious attack. Wireshark is one of the most commonly used sniffing tool used for legitimate reasons. 

2. Illegal Uses

We've talked about how administrators may utilize packet sniffing techniques to obtain a better knowledge of their networks, diagnose problems, and detect threats. But what happens when a malicious attacker does their own packet sniffing on the organization’s network traffic? Many packets that move across a network can be intercepted and logged by packet sniffers. This opens another point of vulnerability, especially if sensitive data goes across the network in an unencrypted manner. An attacker can enter the network and capture all of the packets that flow across it. This can provide them with access to sensitive information of the company or its network users. 

Methods Used for Packet Sniffing Attacks

When carrying out packet sniffing attacks, threat actors can use various methods: 

1. TCP Session Hijacking

Session hijacking, also known as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) session hijacking, involves stealing a web user's session ID and impersonating the authorized user. Once the attacker has obtained the user's session ID, they can easily use it to disguise themselves as that user and do any network-enabled tasks that the user is permitted to perform. 

2. DNS Poisoning

DNS poisoning, also known as DNS cache poisoning or DNS spoofing, is an another fraudulent cyberattack in which hackers divert internet traffic to phishing websites. DNS poisoning poses a risk to both individuals and businesses. One of the most serious issues with DNS poisoning is that once a device has been infected, resolving the problem may be difficult since the device may default to the illegitimate site. 

3. JavaScript Card Sniffing Attacks

An attacker uses a JavaScript sniffing attack to inject lines of code (i.e., a script) onto a website, which then collects personal information input by users into online forms: often, online payment forms. The most typically targeted user data is credit card information, names, addresses, passwords, and phone numbers. 

4. Address resolution protocol (ARP) Sniffing

Hackers often transmit fake ARP messages over a local area network, which is known as ARP poisoning or ARP spoofing. These attacks are intended to redirect traffic away from its intended destination and toward an attacker. The attacker's MAC address is connected to the target's IP address, which only works on ARP-enabled networks. 

5. DHCP Attack

A DHCP attack is a type of active packet sniffing example used by attackers to gather and modify sensitive data. DHCP is a client/server protocol that assigns a computer an IP address. Along with the IP address, the DHCP server gives configuration data such as the default gateway and subnet mask. When a DHCP client device boots up, it sends out broadcasting traffic, which may be intercepted and modified via a packet sniffing attack. 

You can follow our IT Security Certifications to learn more about different methods that are used for packet sniffing.

When Should I Consider Using Packet Sniffing? 

Packet sniffing plays a critical role in network management. It helps troubleshoot issues, identify routing problems, and detect misconfigured nodes. By analyzing traffic, you can verify DHCP and DNS requests, check SSL/HTTPS encryption, and optimize routing paths. This technique also highlights bandwidth-heavy applications and authentication issues, guiding necessary upgrades and software improvements. Monitoring traffic trends and spotting security issues, like unencrypted credentials, ensures proper encryption and early detection of potential threats.  

Thus, you should consider packet sniffing when you want to improve network performance and troubleshoot applications for secure and efficient network operation. 

MediumExample of Packet Sniffing Attacks 

1. Heartland Payment Systems data breach (2009) 

Attackers used packet sniffing to steal over 100 million debit and credit card numbers by capturing data in transit from Heartland’s payment processing network. They exploited vulnerabilities in their system to intercept sensitive financial information. 

2. Flame (2012) 

In May 2012, Flame malware was detected, which was designed to spy and steal sensitive information in Iran, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries by monitoring and intercepting unencrypted communications. It could record audio, screenshots, keyboard activity, and network traffic, steal documents and conversations, create backdoors for further exploitation, and spread across local networks to other systems.   

3. APT28 attack on hotel guests (2017) 

In 2017, the Russian hacker group APT28 used the EternalBlue exploit to attack hotel Wi-Fi networks in Europe and the Middle East. Their goal was to steal business travellers credentials by tricking guests into downloading malware disguised as hotel reservation forms. The attack involved spreading the malware through local networks, copying usernames, and escalating privileges. 

4. BIOPASS RAT (2021) 

The remote access trojan targets Chinese gambling sites, using live streaming to spy on victims. It exploits Open Broadcaster Software to stream desktops to the cloud and steals data by capturing screenshots, cookies, and login credentials. The malware spreads via fake app installers and misuses Alibaba Cloud to host and store stolen data. 

Packet Sniffing Attack Prevention [Best Practices]

It’s no doubt that Packet Sniffing attacks are now more common than ever, and this is largely due to the wide availability of different packet sniffers intended for legitimate use which are later modified by the attackers. However, there are some precautionary measures that you can take which might stop or protect you from falling victim to these sorts of attacks.  

1. Prevent Using Unsecured Networks

Because an unsecured network lacks firewall and anti-virus protection, the information transmitted over the network is unencrypted and easily accessible. When consumers expose their devices to insecure Wi-Fi networks, network sniffing attacks can easily be carried out. Attackers use unsecured networks to install packet sniffers, which intercept and read any data sent over the network. An attacker can also monitor network traffic by creating a bogus "free" public Wi-Fi network. 

2. Start Using VPN to Make Messages Encrypted

Encryption of data increases security by making it necessary for attackers to decrypt it before it can be used, which isn’t an easy task. All incoming and outgoing communication is encrypted before being shared over a virtual private network or VPN. Any attacker sniffing would be unable to see the websites visited or the data transmitted and received. 

3. Regularly monitor and scan enterprise networks

Network administrators of an organization should scan and monitor their networks using bandwidth monitoring or network mapping tools to enhance the network environment and identify sniffing attacks.  

4. Adopt a sniffer detection application

Some popular applications that are built to detect sniffing tools on your device include Anti Sniff, Neped, ARP Watch and Snort.  

5. Before browsing online, look for secure HTTPS protocols

The URL of encrypted websites start with "HTTPS" (hypertext transfer protocol secure), suggesting that user interaction on those websites is secure and guarantees that data is encrypted before it is transmitted to a server. Websites that begin with "HTTP" cannot provide the same level of security, so to avoid packet sniffing, it is advisable to visit websites that begin with "HTTPS." 

6. Strengthen your defenses at the endpoint level

Endpoints such as laptops, PCs, and mobile devices when connected to networks, allow security threats such as packet sniffers to infiltrate easily into the organization’s network. Therefore, a powerful antivirus tool should be used to prevent malware from infecting a system by recognizing anything that shouldn't be on a computer, such as a sniffer. 

7. Implement an intrusion detection system

An intrusion detection system (IDS) is software that monitors network traffic for any unusual activity and alerts prospective intruders. It can scan a network or system for harmful activity or policy breaches, and any potentially dangerous behavior or breach is often notified to an administrator or consolidated through a security information and event management (SIEM) system. 

8. Keep an eye on social engineering tactics

Social engineering is often widely employed by attackers in order to get the victim into making security mistakes or giving away sensitive information. With respect to sniffing attacks, watch out for emails that seem fake and also avoid clicking on suspicious links, among other things.  

Tools Used for Packet Sniffing

Currently, many different network sniffing tools have been developed and are actively being used in the industry. They can be hardware based sniffing devices, or software-based tools. Let’s go over few of the main ones:

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1. Wireshark

Wireshark is a popular open-source, cross-platform network protocol analyzer, or a packet sniffer in other words, that captures packets from a network connection. It is widely used, from home computers to IT industries.

2. tcpdump

Another packet analyzer known as tcpdump is run from the command line, as opposed to others having a nice GUI. It may be used to study network traffic by intercepting and displaying packets sent or received by the machine on which it is executing. It is compatible with Linux and other UNIX-like operating systems.

3. dSniff

dSniff is a collection of password sniffing and network traffic analysis tools designed to parse various application protocols and extract pertinent data. It can obtain information by analyzing a number of protocols (FTP, Telnet, POP, rLogin, Microsoft SMB, SNMP, IMAP, and so on).

4. NetworkMiner

NetworkMiner is usually used as a passive network sniffer/packet capture program to discover operating systems, sessions, hostnames, open ports, and so on without causing any network traffic. NetworkMiner is one of the most widely used network analysis tools for detecting hosts and open ports via packet sniffing. It can also be used offline.

5. Kismet

Kismet is a WIDS (wireless intrusion detection) framework and a wireless network and device detector which is often used to carry out wireless packet sniffing attacks. Kismet supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interfaces, as well as certain SDR (software defined radio) hardware and other specialized capture hardware.

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Conclusion

Packet sniffing attack is a serious threat in a society where we are more reliant on networked technology to perform personal and professional tasks. It enables hackers to obtain access to data traffic traveling over a network - and with so much sensitive information transmitted over the internet, protecting against packet sniffing attacks is critical. Sophisticated sniffers may exploit vulnerabilities and potentially breach the network security, putting companies at huge risk. The greatest defense against malicious packet sniffing is to monitor the network landscape on a frequent basis, looking for strange activity or abnormalities. Recently, organizations are investing in advanced artificial intelligence methods to protect their data against sniffing. These solutions can be employed to identify even minor changes in network behavior, which IT managers can rectify instantly.

If you found this "what is packet sniffing" article informative, consider reading a bit about our KnowledgeHut’s CEH Course which goes over industry-leading ethical hacking training to protect your organization against the most sophisticated threats.