Managed Object Misuse Detection: The Key to Mitigating Carpet-Bombing Attacks

In the realm of cybersecurity, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks pose a significant threat to the stability and availability of online services. Among the various forms of DDoS attacks, carpet-bombing stands out due to its ability to overwhelm networks by targeting multiple IP addresses within a specific range instead of focusing on a specific host or service.

The Challenge of Detecting Carpet-Bombing Attacks

Traditional detection methods often fail to identify carpet-bombing attacks because they rely on high thresholds set for individual IP addresses. In a carpet-bombing scenario, the attack traffic is distributed across many IP addresses, each receiving a relatively low volume of traffic. This distribution prevents individual thresholds from being triggered, allowing the attack to go undetected by most monitoring systems.

Adaptive DDoS: Managed Object Misuse Detection

Managed objects in the context of DDoS protection are networks or IP ranges typically defined in relation to a customer. These objects are monitored to detect any unusual or malicious activity that could indicate a DDoS attack. Managed object misuse detection focuses on identifying patterns of misuse within these networks, rather than individual IP addresses. This approach is particularly effective in detecting carpet-bombing attacks.

Managed object misuse detection overcomes the limitations of host detection by monitoring aggregates of traffic across the entire managed object. By analyzing the combined traffic patterns within the network, it can identify anomalies that suggest a carpet-bombing attack. This aggregate monitoring approach ensures that even low-volume traffic spread across multiple IP addresses is detected, providing a more comprehensive view of the network’s health.  As a result, managed object misuse detection has emerged as a crucial technique in identifying and mitigating such attacks, ensuring the protection of customer networks.

Once a carpet-bombing attack is detected via managed object misuse detection, alerts are generated based on the managed object rather than individual IP addresses. This method of alerting prevents operators from either being overwhelmed by a flood of alerts for each IP address or missing the attack entirely, and allows them to focus on the broader network issue.

How NETSCOUT Helps

Managed object misuse detection provided by NETSCOUT Arbor Sightline and Arbor Threat Mitigation System (TMS)  is a powerful tool in the fight against carpet-bombing DDoS attacks. By shifting the focus from individual IP addresses to aggregates within managed objects, it provides a more accurate and efficient means of detecting and mitigating these attacks. This approach not only enhances the security of customer networks but also streamlines the response process for operators, ensuring a robust defense against one of the most challenging forms of DDoS attacks.

For additional information, check out our video on using adaptive DDoS to defend against carpet bombing attacks.

Learn more about protecting against carpet-bombing attacks.