DHCP Rogue vs. DHCP Starvation

Attribute	DHCP Rogue	DHCP Starvation
Attack Type	Malicious device posing as a DHCP server	Legitimate device sending multiple DHCP requests to exhaust available IP addresses
Goal	Intercept network traffic, perform man-in-the-middle attacks	Deny legitimate devices from obtaining IP addresses
Impact	Compromise network security, intercept sensitive information	Network disruption, denial of service for legitimate devices
Prevention	Implement DHCP snooping, port security, and VLAN segmentation	Use DHCP rate limiting, monitor DHCP server logs, and implement DHCP lease time controls

Introduction

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol used to assign IP addresses dynamically to devices on a network. However, DHCP attacks can compromise the security and stability of a network. Two common types of DHCP attacks are DHCP Rogue and DHCP Starvation attacks. In this article, we will compare the attributes of these two attacks to understand their differences and similarities.

DHCP Rogue Attack

A DHCP Rogue attack involves an unauthorized DHCP server on the network that responds to DHCP requests from clients. This rogue server can assign IP addresses to clients, leading to network connectivity issues and potential security breaches. The rogue server may offer malicious DNS settings or other configuration options that can redirect traffic to malicious servers.

One of the key characteristics of a DHCP Rogue attack is that the rogue server is actively participating in the network, responding to DHCP requests and potentially causing conflicts with legitimate DHCP servers. This type of attack can be difficult to detect, as the rogue server may blend in with legitimate network devices.

To mitigate DHCP Rogue attacks, network administrators can implement DHCP snooping and port security measures to prevent unauthorized DHCP servers from operating on the network. Regular monitoring and auditing of DHCP servers can also help detect and prevent rogue server activity.

DHCP Starvation Attack

A DHCP Starvation attack involves flooding a DHCP server with DHCP requests, exhausting its pool of available IP addresses. This can lead to legitimate clients being unable to obtain IP addresses, causing network disruptions and denial of service. The attacker may use tools like Yersinia or DHCPig to flood the DHCP server with requests.

Unlike a DHCP Rogue attack, a DHCP Starvation attack does not involve the presence of an unauthorized DHCP server on the network. Instead, the attack focuses on overwhelming the legitimate DHCP server with requests, causing it to run out of available IP addresses to assign to clients. This type of attack can be launched from a single or multiple devices on the network.

To defend against DHCP Starvation attacks, network administrators can implement rate limiting on DHCP servers to prevent excessive requests from a single source. DHCP snooping and DHCP server hardening can also help protect against DHCP Starvation attacks by limiting the impact of flooding attacks on the network.

Comparison

• DHCP Rogue attacks involve the presence of an unauthorized DHCP server on the network, while DHCP Starvation attacks focus on flooding legitimate DHCP servers with requests.
• DHCP Rogue attacks can lead to network connectivity issues and security breaches, while DHCP Starvation attacks can cause denial of service and network disruptions.
• Both types of attacks can be mitigated through network security measures such as DHCP snooping, port security, and rate limiting on DHCP servers.
• DHCP Rogue attacks are more stealthy and difficult to detect, as the rogue server blends in with legitimate network devices, while DHCP Starvation attacks are more visible and can be detected through monitoring of DHCP server logs.
• Preventing DHCP Rogue attacks requires identifying and removing unauthorized DHCP servers from the network, while defending against DHCP Starvation attacks involves implementing measures to limit the impact of flooding attacks on DHCP servers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DHCP Rogue and DHCP Starvation attacks are two common types of DHCP attacks that can compromise the security and stability of a network. While DHCP Rogue attacks involve the presence of unauthorized DHCP servers on the network, DHCP Starvation attacks focus on overwhelming legitimate DHCP servers with requests. Both types of attacks can be mitigated through network security measures, but understanding the differences between them is crucial for effective defense against DHCP attacks.