How to Start Ransomware Attack Projects Using OMNeT++

To start a ransomware attack using OMNeT++ that comprises of designing a network in which ransomware behavior is mimicked with infection process, data encryption, and ransom request. OMNeT++ environment is a network simulator, but it can be prolonged for replicating the behaviour of ransomware with their broadcast via network.

Let’s we see how to start and simulate the Ransomware Attack Project through these steps in OMNeT++:

Steps to Start Ransomware Attack Project in OMNeT++

  1. Understand Ransomware Attacks
  • Definition: Ransomware is malware, which encodes the information on a system or locks, requesting a ransom payment for decryption or renovation.
  • Key Steps in a Ransomware Attack:
    1. Infection: First approach via phishing emails, malicious links, or vulnerable software.
    2. Propagation: It distributes over the network to other systems.
    3. Encryption: Encodes sensitive files or locks for accessing to systems.
    4. Ransom Demand: Transmits a ransom demand to target nodes.
  1. Set Up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
  • OMNeT++ Installation: We can download and install OMNeT++ on the system.
  • INET Framework Installation:
    • INET framework offers some essential tools to replicate network protocols that can be prolonged for mimicking ransomware propagation.
  1. Define Project Scope

Step 3.1: Goals

  • We need to replicate the infection, propagation, and effect of ransomware within a network.
  • Estimate the countermeasures efficiency like firewalls or intrusion detection systems (IDS).

Step 3.2: Metrics

  • Propagation Speed: Compute how rapidly ransomware distributes over network.
  • Infection Rate: Measure the rate of systems that are infected.
  • Data Loss: Replicate the encrypted or unapproachable information.
  • Countermeasure Effectiveness: Estimate the detection and mitigation mechanisms.
  1. Design Network Topology

Create a network topology with legitimate nodes, a ransomware-infected node (attacker), and a monitoring system like IDS.

Example .ned File:

network RansomwareAttackNetwork {

submodules:

infectedNode: StandardHost; // Node initially infected with ransomware

workstation[5]: StandardHost; // Legitimate workstations

server: StandardHost;        // Central file server

firewall: StandardHost;      // Firewall or IDS

router: Router;              // Router connecting all nodes

connections allowunconnected:

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

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

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

router.ethg++ <–> workstation[0].ethg++;

router.ethg++ <–> workstation[1].ethg++;

router.ethg++ <–> workstation[2].ethg++;

router.ethg++ <–> workstation[3].ethg++;

router.ethg++ <–> workstation[4].ethg++;

}

  1. Implement the Ransomware Behavior

Step 5.1: Create an Infected Node Module

Replicate a ransomware-infected node, which transmits the malicious payloads to other nodes.

#include <omnetpp.h>

#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”

using namespace omnetpp;

using namespace inet;

class RansomwareNode : public cSimpleModule {

private:

int infectionAttempts = 0;

int maxAttempts = 5;

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

void infectTarget(const char* targetName);

void encryptFiles(const char* nodeName);

};

Define_Module(RansomwareNode);

void RansomwareNode::initialize() {

// Schedule the first infection attempt

scheduleAt(simTime() + uniform(0.1, 0.2), new cMessage(“startInfection”));

}

void RansomwareNode::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “startInfection”) == 0 && infectionAttempts < maxAttempts) {

infectionAttempts++;

infectTarget(“workstation”); // Attempt to infect a workstation

scheduleAt(simTime() + uniform(0.1, 0.5), msg);

}

}

void RansomwareNode::infectTarget(const char* targetName) {

EV << “Attempting to infect target: ” << targetName << “\n”;

auto pkt = new Packet(“RansomwarePayload”);

send(pkt, “out”); // Send ransomware payload to target

}

void RansomwareNode::encryptFiles(const char* nodeName) {

EV << “Encrypting files on ” << nodeName << “\n”;

// Simulate encryption effect, e.g., data loss or unavailability

}

Step 5.2: Legitimate Node Behavior

  • Make use of INET’s UdpBasicApp to replicate typical traffic among the workstations and the server.

Step 5.3: Implement an IDS or Firewall

  • Integrate a monitoring system for identifying malicious traffic models.

class IntrusionDetectionSystem : public cSimpleModule {

protected:

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

};

Define_Module(IntrusionDetectionSystem);

void IntrusionDetectionSystem::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

Packet *pkt = check_and_cast<Packet *>(msg);

EV << “Analyzing packet: ” << pkt->getName() << “\n”;

if (strcmp(pkt->getName(), “RansomwarePayload”) == 0) {

EV << “Malicious packet detected! Blocking.\n”;

delete pkt; // Drop malicious packet

} else {

send(pkt, “out”);

}

}

  1. Configure the Simulation

Example .ini File Configuration:

[Config RansomwareSimulation]

network = RansomwareAttackNetwork

# Infected node configuration

**.infectedNode.numApps = 1

**.infectedNode.app[0].typename = “RansomwareNode”

# Legitimate workstations

**.workstation[*].numApps = 1

**.workstation[*].app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

**.workstation[*].app[0].destAddress = “server”

**.workstation[*].app[0].startTime = uniform(1s, 2s)

**.workstation[*].app[0].sendInterval = uniform(2s, 4s)

# Server configuration

**.server.numApps = 1

**.server.app[0].typename = “UdpSink”

# IDS configuration

**.firewall.numApps = 1

**.firewall.app[0].typename = “IntrusionDetectionSystem”

# Simulation time

sim-time-limit = 100s

  1. Run and Visualize the Simulation
  • Run the Simulation: Use OMNeT++ tool for executing the simulation.
  • Observe Behavior:
    • Monitor the infection attempts to utilise ransomware node.
    • Legitimate traffic among the workstations and the server.
    • Identify IDS and obstruct the malicious packets.
  1. Analyze Results

Metrics to Analyze:

  1. Infection Rate:
    • Compute the rate of nodes that are infected using ransomware.
  2. Propagation Speed:
    • Measure the duration to distribute through the network for ransomware.
  3. Impact on Traffic:
    • Assess the delays or disruptions influence over the legitimate traffic.
  4. Countermeasure Effectiveness:
    • Detection and obstructive the IDS or firewall success rate.
  1. Enhance the Project

Step 9.1: Advanced Ransomware Behavior

  • Replicate more advanced ransomware behavior like:
    • Broadcast through vulnerabilities or lateral movement.
    • Encode files and request a ransom.

Step 9.2: Implement Defenses

  • Endpoint Protection: Mimic antivirus or endpoint detection systems for protection.
  • Backup Systems: Integrate a mechanism for retrieving encrypted information.

Step 9.3: Scale the Network

  • Mimic enterprise environments to utilise larger topologies including several routers and subnets.

Step 9.4: Add User Behavior

  • We will need to replicate the user communications like downloading malicious files or clicking phishing links.

Example Output

  • Before the Attack:
    • Legitimate traffic floods among the workstations and the server.
  • During the Attack:
    • Ransomware node transmits the malicious packets for infecting other nodes.
    • IDS identify and obstruct some malicious traffic during the attack.

Through this process, we entirely focused and provided the needed information on how to simulate and analyse the Ransomware Attack projects using OMNeT++ simulation tool. You can also get further details about encryption logic, IDS rules, or advanced propagation mechanisms of this project from us.