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ICMP Penetration Testing

In our previous article, we had discussed “ICMP protocol with Wireshark” where we had seen how an ICMP protocol work at layer 3 according to the OSI model and study its result using Wireshark. Today we are going discuss to ICMP penetration testing by crafting ICMP packet to test our IDS “Snort” against all ICMP message Types using Cat Karat tool, you can download it from http://packetbuilder.net link.

For configuring Snort as IDS read our previous article “Configure snort in Ubuntu” it will automatically install snort in your system with a predefined set of rules that will help in packet capturing of your network.

Let’s start!!

 Basically, we will perform this practical in three phases as described below:

Packet crafting: In this phase, we will craft each ICMP packet with a different type of ICMP message using Cat Karat. For more detail about Packet crafting process read our previous article.

Packet Capturing: In this phase, we will capture the ICMP packet and receive an alert when it will enter into the target’s network using snort as IDS.

Packet Analysis: In this phase, we will investigate the captured packet using Wireshark.

Brief Introduction on ICMP Protocol

ICMP message contains two types of codes i.e. query and error.

Query: The query messages are the information we get from a router or another destination host.

For example, given below message types are some ICMP query codes:

  • Type 0 = Echo Reply
  • Type 8 = Echo Request
  • Type 9 = Router Advertisement
  • Type 10 = Router Solicitation
  • Type 13 = Timestamp Request
  • Type 14 = Timestamp Reply

Error: The error statement messages reports problem which a router or a destination host may generate.

For example: given below message types are some of the ICMP error codes:

  • Type 3 = Destination Unreachable
  • Type 4 = Source Quench
  • Type 5 = Redirect
  • Type 11 = Time Exceeded
  • Type 12 = Parameter Problems

Now when you will run the installed application “Cat KARAT” you will observe three important sections “Interfaces”, “Packet flow” and Packet view which in their default state as shown in given below image.

Message TYPE 0 ICMP Packet Crafting

So as we know in Packet Crafting Operation “Packet Assembly” is the 1st phase where we need to decide protocol for crafting any packet, which is quite easy to select with this tool. Only enable the radio button for selecting protocol and direction flow of packet. Here I had enabled radio buttons for “IPv4” and “ICMP” without disturbing remaining default packet flow as shown given below image.

Next, we need to select the “interface” which you can select from the Interfaces by double-Click on it.

Now next is “packet Editing” phase where you need to specify the source IP address such as 192.168.1.2 from which packet will be sent and Destination IP address such as 192.168.1.107 on which packet is received. Moreover, you can also make some changes in your packet such as Time to live (TTL), Data length and also can go with packet fragmentation.

From given below image you can observe I had added source and destination IP in the packet under the third section protocol view -> Ipv4

Under the 3rd section protocol view in catKarat explore ICMP tab and select “0-Echo Response” option which generates type 0 ICMP message. Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network which known as “packet playing” phase of packet Crafting operation. This ICMP message type also uses to test the strength of IDS and Firewall against ICMP smurf Dos Attack.

Capturing ICMP-Type0 packet through IDS

The advantage of install snort through apt respiratory is that it is quick and easy to install in your system as well as it contains a predefined set of rule files related to every type of network traffic either TCP/UDP or ICMP.

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP echo Reply packet is found in the network. This rule also works against Smurf Dos attack in which ICMP echo reply/response traffic is received on the target’s network without sending genuine ICMP request packet from the target’s network to another network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP Echo Reply” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type0 packet through Wireshark

Now the Last phase is Packet Analysis which is also the last mode of operation of packet crafting process where the received packet is analysis using packet analysis tool. Here we had to use Wireshark for capturing incoming traffic. From given below image you can observe that Wireshark has captured exactly same information which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP message type packet, and other information.

When the tester will click on Stop button given in the menu bar of Cat Karat tool he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 0 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 1 ICMP Packet Crafting

So the Packet Assembly phase and Packet Editing phase for ICMP packet crafting are almost the same as above only the difference is made in change ICMP message through which connection will be established with the target network.

Since we want to send traffic through message type 1 packets for establishing a connection with target network therefore select Type -1 Reserved from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network which known as “packet playing” phase of packet Crafting operation.

Capturing ICMP-Type1 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP unassigned type 1 packet is found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP unassigned type 1” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type1 packet through Wireshark

From given below image you can observe that Wireshark has captured exactly same information which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP message type “Reserved”  packets and other information.

When the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 1 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 2 ICMP Packet Crafting

Again the Packet Assembly phase and Packet Editing phase for ICMP packet crafting are almost the same as above only the difference is made in change ICMP message through which connection will be established with target network.

Since we want to send traffic through only message type 2 packets for establishing a connection with target network therefore select Type 2 Reserved from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button for sending the packet on target’s network.

Capturing ICMP-Type2 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP unassigned type 2 packet is found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when again our IDS received any matching packets defined in its file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP unassigned type 2” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type2 packet through Wireshark

Here also the Wireshark has captured exactly same information as per our prediction and fetch same details which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP message “Reserved” packet and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 2 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 3 ICMP Packet Crafting

Now we want to send traffic through message type 3 packets for establishing a connection with the target network, therefore, select Type 3 Destination Unreachable from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network.

Capturing ICMP-Type3 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP Destination Unreachable  Network Unreachable packet when found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

As said above so when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP Destination Unreachable Network Unreachable” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type3 packet through Wireshark

From given below image you can observe that Wireshark has captured exactly same information which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP message type “Destination Unreachable” (Network Unreachable) packet and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 3 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 4 ICMP Packet Crafting

So the Packet Assembly phase and Packet Editing phase for ICMP packet crafting are almost the same as above only the difference is made in change ICMP message through which connection will be established with the target network.

Since we want to send traffic through message type 4 packets for establishing a connection with target network therefore select Type 4 Source Quench from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network which known as “packet playing” phase of packet Crafting operation.

Capturing ICMP-Type4 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP Source Quench packet when found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP Source Quench” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type4 packet through Wireshark

Here also the Wireshark has captured exactly same information as per our prediction and fetch same details which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing modes such as ICMP protocol, ICMP message type “Source quench” packet and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 4 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 5 ICMP Packet Crafting

We want to send traffic through message type 5 packets for establishing a connection with the target network, therefore, select Type 5 Redirect from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network.

Capturing ICMP-Type5 packet through IDS

As given in below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP redirect net packet when found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP Redirect net” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type5 packet through Wireshark

Again as per our prediction, Wireshark has captured exactly same information which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP message type “redirect” packet and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 5 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 6 ICMP Packet Crafting

So the Packet Assembly phase and Packet Editing phase for ICMP packet crafting are almost the same as above only the difference is made in change ICMP message through which connection will be established with the target network.

Here now next we want to send traffic through message type 6 packets for establishing a connection with target network, therefore, select Type 6 for Alternate Host Address from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network.

Capturing ICMP-Type6 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP Alternate Host Address packet is found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP Alternate Host Address” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type6 packet through Wireshark

From given below image you can observe that Wireshark has captured exactly same information which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP message type “Alternate Host Address” packet and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 6 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 7 ICMP Packet Crafting

Again Repeat the same and send traffic through message type 7 packets for establishing a connection with the target network, therefore, select Type 7 for Unassigned from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network.

Capturing ICMP-Type7 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP Alternate Host Address packet is found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

Therefore when IDS received any matching packets described in the file of rules then it will generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP unassigned type 7” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type7 packet through Wireshark

Wireshark has captured exactly the same information which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP unknown message type “obsolete or malformed” packet and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 7 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 8 ICMP Packet Crafting

Since we want to send traffic through message type 8 packets for establishing a connection with the target network, therefore, select Type 8 for ICMP echo Request from the given list.

This step is very useful because it will craft a packet will send ICMP Request packet on the target’s network to test the strength of IDS and Firewall.

Infinite packet ICMP Request packet is considered as ICMP Flood or Ping of Death Attack when sent the only network, therefore, we can check our IDS and Firewall Strength against such DOS attack through this packet crafting.   

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network.

Capturing ICMP-Type8 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP Ping packet is found in the network. As we know ICMP Echo Request packet is considered as Ping request packet which sends a request to a network IP for establishing a connection with it.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generates an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP Ping ” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type8 packet through Wireshark

From given below image you can observe that Wireshark has captured Ping packet for ICMP Echo request as described above, exactly same information which we had a bind in packets such as ICMP protocol, ICMP Ping request message packet, and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 8 is successfully sent on the target machine.

Message TYPE 9 ICMP Packet Crafting

Now, at last, we want to send traffic through message type 9 packets for establishing a connection with the target network, therefore, select Type 9 for Router Advertisement from the given list.

Once everything is edited then your packet is ready to send on the target network. Click on play button given in menu bar for sending the packet on target’s network.

Capturing ICMP-Type9 packet through IDS

From given below image you can observe that inside the file “icmp-info rules” an alert rule is already implemented for capturing the traffic of ICMP Router Advertisement packet is found in the network.

Now turn on IDS mode of snort by executing given below command in terminal:

sudo snort -A console -q -u snort -g snort -c /etc/snort/snort.conf -i eth0

So when IDS received any matching packets defined in a file of rules then generate an alert for the captured packet. From given below image you can observe that an alert is generated by snort for “ICMP Router Advertisement” packets from source address 192.168.1.1.2 to destination 192.168.1.107.

Analysis ICMP-Type9 packet through Wireshark

From given below image you can observe that Wireshark has captured exactly same information which we had a bind in the packet during packet Assembly and packet Editing mode such as ICMP protocol, ICMP P ICMP Router Advertisement message packet and other information.

Again when the tester will click on the Stop button, he will receive the status of the sent packet either as successful or as failed.

From given below image you can perceive that our ICMP Type 9 is successfully sent on the target machine.

AuthorRahul Virmani is a Certified Ethical Hacker and the researcher in the field of network Penetration Testing (CYBERSECURITY).    Contact Here