Deauthentication - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 4.2

Summary

The script explains a common issue where a wireless network repeatedly disconnects, potentially due to a wireless authentication attack known as a deauthentication attack. It describes how attackers can exploit unprotected 802.11 management frames to disconnect devices from Wi-Fi networks. The process is demonstrated using tools like airodump-ng and aireplay-ng. Fortunately, modern standards like 802.11w, introduced in 2014, have encrypted management frames to prevent such attacks. These standards are now part of most modern Wi-Fi networks, reducing vulnerability to denial of service attacks.

Takeaways

• 📶 Wireless network disconnections can happen unexpectedly, causing users to frequently reconnect.
• 🔁 A recurring issue with the wireless network suddenly disappearing indicates a deeper problem.
• 🔒 The issue could be related to wireless authentication or a denial-of-service attack.
• 👾 A deauthentication attack can cause a device to disconnect from the network repeatedly.
• 📡 802.11 management frames control important wireless network operations like connecting, disconnecting, and managing quality of service.
• ❌ Early 802.11 standards didn’t secure management frames, allowing attackers to exploit them for deauthentication attacks.
• 📊 Captured management frames reveal important network details like data rates, power capabilities, and vendor information.
• 💻 Tools like airodump-ng and aireplay-ng can perform deauthentication attacks by targeting specific MAC addresses.
• 🔧 A deauthentication attack prevents the target device from reconnecting to the wireless network.
• 🛡 The 802.11w standard, introduced in 2014, encrypts critical management frames to prevent these types of denial-of-service attacks.

Q & A

What is a wireless disassociation attack?

A wireless disassociation attack is a denial of service attack where a third party sends specially crafted frames to disconnect your device from the wireless network repeatedly.

How do 802.11 management frames function in a wireless network?

802.11 management frames handle tasks like connecting, disconnecting, authenticating, managing quality of service, and other network processes in a wireless environment.

Why are management frames important for wireless networks?

Management frames are crucial because they help devices find access points, manage network quality of service, and handle authentication, among other tasks.

What vulnerability existed in the original 802.11 wireless standard?

The original 802.11 wireless standard lacked security for management frames, which allowed attackers to exploit this vulnerability for denial of service attacks, such as deauthentication.

How can a deauthentication attack be performed?

A deauthentication attack can be performed by sending repeated deauthentication frames from a tool like 'aireplay-ng' to a targeted device using its MAC address, disconnecting it from the wireless network.

What tool is used to capture wireless network packets?

The tool used to capture wireless network packets is called 'airodump-ng,' which lists out wireless access points and connected devices, providing information for a deauthentication attack.

What is the impact of a deauthentication attack on the victim device?

During a deauthentication attack, the victim device, such as a mobile phone, is disconnected from the wireless network and cannot reconnect as long as the attack continues.

What security standard was introduced to mitigate deauthentication attacks?

The 802.11w standard, introduced in July 2014, encrypts management frames such as deauthentication, disassociation, and channel switch announcements to prevent third-party modification.

Which management frames are not encrypted under the 802.11w standard?

Frames like beacons, probes, authentication, and association frames are not encrypted, as they are essential for the initial connection process to the wireless network.

Is the 802.11w standard included in modern wireless networks?

Yes, the 802.11w standard is included in modern networks, such as those using the 802.11ac standard or later, which protects them from deauthentication attacks.