ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) Cache Poisoning Attacks are a type of cybersecurity threat that exploits vulnerabilities in the ARP protocol, which is responsible for mapping IP addresses to MAC (Media Access Control) addresses on a local network. In these attacks, malicious actors manipulate the ARP cache of a target system, leading to incorrect IP-to-MAC address mappings.
During an ARP cache poisoning attack, an attacker sends false ARP messages to a target system, tricking it into associating the attacker's MAC address with a legitimate IP address on the network. This can result in various consequences, including:
Traffic Interception: The attacker can intercept and eavesdrop on network traffic between the target and other devices.
Data Manipulation: Malicious actors can alter or redirect data packets, potentially leading to data theft or manipulation.
Denial of Service: ARP cache poisoning can disrupt network communication and lead to network outages.
ARP cache poisoning attacks pose several risks:
Data Interception: Attackers can intercept sensitive data, such as login credentials, on a compromised network.
Data Tampering: Malicious actors can modify data in transit, leading to data integrity issues.
Network Disruption: These attacks can disrupt network services, causing downtime and operational disruptions.
Mitigating ARP cache poisoning attacks involves:
ARP Spoofing Detection: Implement mechanisms to detect and mitigate ARP spoofing, such as ARPwatch or intrusion detection systems.
Static ARP Entries: Use static ARP entries to bind IP addresses to specific MAC addresses.
Network Segmentation: Segment networks to limit the scope of potential attacks.
Network Monitoring: Continuously monitor network traffic for suspicious patterns.
