Deauthentication - N10-008 CompTIA Network+ : 4.2

Professor Messer
12 Nov 202104:55

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

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Mindmap

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Keywords

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Related Tags
Wireless SecurityDenial of ServiceWi-Fi Attacks802.11wNetwork EncryptionCybersecurityAuthenticationWireless NetworksDeauthenticationWi-Fi Management