JEFF HOWELL
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Conducting a DoS Attack using Metasploitable

Metasploit has a number exploit tools specifically designed for DoS attacks.  The approach I took to address this query was a live attack with using a python application.  This Python script implements the SlowLoris attack with a fixed number of threads opening connections with the web server. This will completely swamp an Apache server on a single machine. 

Before the Attack
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1) Launching the Attack
The program simply simulates 200 clients hitting the server simultaneously.   The server is incapable of responding and is rendered useless for the duration of the attack.  In this particular case, the server recovered once the attack was complete. 
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2) Measuring the Attack
The Wireshark output shows a massive spike in packet volume.  The steady state prior to launching the attack was approximately 55packets/sec.
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3) During the Attack
Begin by going to a benign URL (sans.org). Although there was no spooky or demonic message during the attack, there was "just" a denial of service (DoS).  The  browser continued to “spin” and the server could not return the request from the client.  Until python program completed.
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Jeff Howell  -  San Carlos, CA  -  Privacy Statement - email Jeff
  • Home
  • About
  • Cyber Security Fundementals
    • Threats and Vulnerabilities
    • Reference Monitor
    • Links to Additional Resources
  • Cryptography
    • Block Ciphers
    • Hash Functions
    • Message Authentication Codes (MAC's)
    • Kerberos Key Management (Single sign-on)
    • Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
    • Links to Additional Resources
  • Secure Architecture
    • Architecture Strategy
    • Contextual Security Architecture
    • Conceptual Security Architecture
    • Logical Security Architecture
    • Physical Security Architecture
    • Component Security Architecture
    • Operations
    • Supporting Materials
  • Reference Link Library
    • Industry Websites
    • Government Resources
    • Cyber Security News
    • Certification and Training
    • Books
    • Cyber Security Tools
  • Risk Management
    • Supporting Materials
  • Operational Policy
    • Laws and Regualations
    • Data Classification
    • Policy Implementation and Enforcement
    • Supporting Materials
  • Management and Cyber Security
    • Contingency Planning
    • ROI of Cyber Security
    • Staffing Models
    • Links to Additional Resources
  • Secure Software Design and Development
    • Heartbleed Details
    • Mobile Device Vulnerabilities
    • Links to Additional Resources
  • Network Visualization and Vulnerability Detection
    • Visualizing the Network
    • Protecting the Perimeter
    • Vulnerability Detection
    • Sniffing Wireless Networks
    • Links to Additional Resources
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence
    • Links to Additional Resources
  • Incident Response and Computer Network Forensics
    • Links to Additional Resources