How to Start Botnets Projects using OMNeT++

To create a botnet simulation project using OMNeT++ has been including their replication of botnet, it involves the transmission architecture, attack patterns, and network impact. Here is a detailed guide to help you set up and run a botnet simulation:

Steps to Start Botnets Projects using OMNeT++

  1. Understand Botnets
  • Botnet Definition: A botnet is a network of compromised devices (bots) handled through a central Command and Control (C&C) server to operate the malicious activities such as DDoS attacks, spam campaigns, or data theft.
  • Botnet Simulation Goals:
    • Replicate the botnet transmission for sample centralized, peer-to-peer, or hybrid.
    • Examine the effect for botnet attacks on the network.
    • Discover the finding and mitigation methods.
  1. Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
  • Install OMNeT++: Download OMNeT++ from the official website.
  • Install INET Framework:
    • Essential for replicating the network protocols such as TCP, UDP, and IP.
    • Observe the INET installation procedures.
  • Explain yourself by the OMNeT++ IDE and INET’s features.
  1. Define the Botnet Scenario

Step 3.1: Botnet Structure

  • Centralized Botnet: A single C&C server communicates through all bots.
  • P2P Botnet: Bots communicate between themselves deprived of a central server.
  • Hybrid Botnet: Associate together the architecture for the hybrid botnet.

Step 3.2: Attack Types

  • DDoS Attacks: The goal through the congestion for flood based on the bots.
  • Data Exfiltration: Bots forward the sensitive data to the C&C server.
  • Spam Campaigns: Bots transfer the spam messages.

Step 3.3: Metrics

  • Measure:
    • Bandwidth usage for the network.
    • Latency and packet loss.
    • Detection success rate for sample if defense are implemented.
  1. Design Network Topology

Build a topology through nodes demonstrate the bots, the C&C server, and legitimate devices:

network BotnetNetwork {

submodules:

bot1: StandardHost;

bot2: StandardHost;

bot3: StandardHost;

ccServer: StandardHost;  // Command and Control Server

target: StandardHost;    // Victim of the attack

legitimate1: StandardHost; // Legitimate user

router: Router;

connections:

bot1.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> router.ethg++;

bot2.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> router.ethg++;

bot3.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> router.ethg++;

ccServer.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> router.ethg++;

target.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> router.ethg++;

legitimate1.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> router.ethg++;

}

  1. Implement Botnet Behavior

Step 5.1: Command and Control Communication

  • Replicate the C&C server sending commands to bots:

#include <omnetpp.h>

using namespace omnetpp;

class CommandAndControl : public cSimpleModule {

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

void sendCommand();

};

 

Define_Module(CommandAndControl);

void CommandAndControl::initialize() {

scheduleAt(simTime() + 1, new cMessage(“sendCommand”));

}

void CommandAndControl::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “sendCommand”) == 0) {

sendCommand();

scheduleAt(simTime() + 10, msg);  // Send command every 10 seconds

}

}

void CommandAndControl::sendCommand() {

EV << “Sending botnet command\n”;

send(new cMessage(“CommandToBot”), “out”);

}

Step 5.2: Bot Node Behavior

  • Bots obtain the commands and execute actions for sample launching an attack:

class BotNode : public cSimpleModule {

protected:

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

};

Define_Module(BotNode);

void BotNode::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “CommandToBot”) == 0) {

EV << “Executing command: Launch attack\n”;

send(new cMessage(“AttackPacket”), “out”);

}

}

Step 5.3: Attack Target Behavior

  • The node goals for logs and responds to incoming attack packets:

class AttackTarget : public cSimpleModule {

protected:

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

};

Define_Module(AttackTarget);

void AttackTarget::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

EV << “Received attack packet\n”;

delete msg;

}

  1. Configure Simulation

Step 6.1: Configure the .ini File

Define the network behavior and parameters:

[Config BotnetSimulation]

network = BotnetNetwork

**.ccServer.numApps = 1

**.ccServer.app[0].typename = “CommandAndControl”

**.bot*.numApps = 1

**.bot*.app[0].typename = “BotNode”

**.target.numApps = 1

**.target.app[0].typename = “AttackTarget”

sim-time-limit = 100s

Step 6.2: Adjust Traffic Parameters

  • Require the packet generation rates and attack intervals:

**.bot*.app[0].packetInterval = 0.1s

  1. Simulate and Debug
  • Run the Simulation: Used the OMNeT++ IDE we process the setting environment.
  • Observe Behavior:
    • Observe the command distribution from the C&C server.
    • Monitor the attack for congested created through the bots.
    • Evaluate the effect for the victim node and the network.
  1. Implement Detection Mechanisms (Optional)
  • Improve the modules we finding the botnet activities:
    • Study the congestion designs such as sudden spikes, repetitive packet signatures.
    • Execute the anomaly-based finding the techniques.
  1. Analyze Results
  • Used the outcomes OMNeT++’s logging and data visualization tools we examine:
    • Network performance such as latency, bandwidth.
    • Attack affects the victim and legitimate nodes.
    • Efficiency for many finding the mechanisms.
  1. Extend the Project
  • Replicate of advantage the botnet structures such as P2P or hybrid botnets.
  • Discover the mitigation method:
    • Rate limiting, IP blocking, or sinkholing.
  • Apply the machine learning-based finding mechanisms.

Would you like assistance with coding, configuring network parameters, or visualizing results?

In this script, we clearly understood the implementation process for manage the network that includes to create the Botnet then mitigate the attack to run the simulation using the OMNeT++tool. If you need any related information regarding this we provide and support it.