Many cybersecurity attacks use antiquated network protocols that have been deprecated for decades and that should never be exposed on the Internet in the first place. Attackers twist these protocols and use them to send mind-numbing, face-melting volumes of attack traffic at their target.
One such threat is the CHARGEN Amplification DDoS attack. This powerful form of cyberattack has quietly been used by cybercriminals as one of the attacks in their DDoS toolkit. For businesses looking to operate on a hostile Internet, being able to detect and mitigate CHARGEN Amplification DDoS attacks is critical to availability of their networks and applications.
What is CHARGEN amplification DDoS?
The Character Generator Protocol (CHARGEN) was originally designed for testing and debugging network connections. It sends a steady stream of network packets containing text characters as a constant network traffic beacon.
However, this protocol can be manipulated by hackers to flood a target system with excessive traffic. CHARGEN Amplification is a type of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that uses servers with publicly available CHARGEN listeners to generate an overwhelming amount of network traffic directed at a victim.
The attack begins when cybercriminals send a tiny request to a CHARGEN server. This server, unfortunately, responds with a much larger stream of data. When attackers spoof their source IP address to make it appear as though these requests come from the victim, the server’s responses overwhelm the victim’s network and application.
This amplification technique allows attackers to launch large attacks with a minimal amount of network bandwidth, making it a preferred method among cybercriminals. The result is a victim network saturated with data, which can lead to service degradation and downtime.
How Does CHARGEN Amplification DDoS Happen?
To understand how CHARGEN Amplification DDoS occurs, it is essential to know the mechanics behind the CHARGEN protocol. This protocol was never intended for public exposure. However, when improperly configured and exposed to the Internet, it becomes an open invitation for exploitation.
Attackers first identify vulnerable CHARGEN servers by scanning the entirety of the Internet or using services like Shodan. Servers running CHARGEN are typically older, unpatched systems that still have the protocol enabled. Once servers are identified, the attacker sends a spoofed request to these servers using the victim’s IP address as the source.
The server, complying with the CHARGEN protocol request, replies with a large stream of characters to the victim’s IP. Multiply this action by hundreds or thousands of servers, and the victim faces an overwhelming amount of data and packets. This traffic congests the network, causing service disruptions and potentially leading to a complete Denial of Service.
Examples of CHARGEN amplification DDoS.
Although not as widely publicized as some other types of DDoS attacks, CHARGEN Amplification has been used in several high-profile cyber incidents. Understanding these examples can help businesses recognize the potential danger.
One notable case involved a mid-sized online retailer that found its website intermittently inaccessible for several days. Investigation of the network traffic revealed a CHARGEN Amplification attack was flooding its network, forcing the company to implement costly emergency measures to mitigate the attack.
Another instance saw a financial services firm facing repeated network slowdowns. Post-analysis indicated that the cause was continuous CHARGEN Amplification attacks, necessitating a comprehensive review and overhaul of their network security protocols.
These examples highlight the disruptive potential of such attacks and the importance of proactive measures in cybersecurity.
How CHARGEN amplification DDoS impacts your business.
The impact of a CHARGEN Amplification DDoS attack can be severe, particularly for businesses heavily reliant on digital operations. These impacts manifest in several areas:
- Network Congestion: The sheer volume of incoming data can clog the victim’s network, making it difficult for legitimate users to access services. This congestion leads to slow or completely unresponsive services.
- Denial of Service: If left unchecked, the attack can escalate to a full-scale denial of service, rendering critical applications and services unavailable. For businesses, this downtime can result in significant financial losses and tarnished reputations.
- Operational Disruptions: Beyond direct technical impacts, the fallout from a successful DDoS attack can disrupt Network Operations Centers (NOCs). NOC staff may need to shift their focus to mitigating the attack, impacting productivity, and leading to delays in delivering services or products.
Understanding these potential impacts underscores the importance of preventative measures and swift response strategies.
Preventing CHARGEN amplification DDoS attacks
From the perspective of a DDoS victim, DDoS attacks are not prevented, they are mitigated to reduce the impact on the target network and services.
Organizations running CHARGEN can prevent their servers from being used in amplification DDoS attacks through a set of network and server controls.
Furthermore, since the attack relies on spoofing, the IP address of the DDoS victim, completely unrelated networks can assist the attacker if they allow devices on their network to spoof IP addresses. Blocking IP spoofing can prevent a network being used to initiate CHARGEN amplification DDoS attacks.
Here are effective strategies to consider:
DDoS Mitigation Providers: DDoS mitigation service providers are experts in identifying and mitigating DDoS attacks, including CHARGEN Amplification. These services offer real-time monitoring and threat intelligence to detect and respond to potential attacks before they can cause severe damage.
Traffic monitoring: For both organizations targeted by a DDoS attack and organizations running CHARGEN servers, implementing network traffic monitoring and anomaly detection systems is crucial. These tools can identify unusual traffic patterns indicative of a potential attack. Early detection allows for prompt response measures, minimizing the attack’s impact.
Filtering Outgoing Traffic: Implementing BCP 38 for Internet Service Providers and other network providers is a crucial step in filtering network egress traffic to prevent their network being used to initiate amplification attacks. By ensuring that only legitimate traffic leaves your network, BCP 38 helps to stop potential attackers from exploiting open services to amplify traffic toward their targets.
Firewall Configuration: A robust firewall is the first line of defense against incoming traffic that initiates a CHARGEN amplification attack. Configure your firewall to block unnecessary incoming UDP traffic, particularly from external sources. Restrict access to CHARGEN servers to only trusted entities, ensuring they are not open for public access.
Rate Limiting on CHARGEN servers: Introducing rate limiting mechanisms can restrict the number of responses generated by CHARGEN servers. This limitation helps prevent servers from being exploited for amplification purposes, reducing the attack’s effectiveness.
By integrating these strategies, businesses can fortify their networks against the threat of CHARGEN Amplification DDoS attacks and ensure a more secure digital environment.
Legacy protocols cause modern problems.
The CHARGEN Amplification DDoS attack exemplifies the evolving nature of cyber threats. While the protocol itself is outdated, its misuse by cybercriminals underscores the need for vigilance in cybersecurity practices.
For business professionals and organizations, understanding this type of attack is the first step in ensuring robust defenses. By implementing proactive measures and staying informed about potential vulnerabilities, businesses can protect themselves from the disruptive impacts of such cyber threats.
In today’s digital landscape, where data is king and uptime is crucial, safeguarding your network is more important than ever. Take action today to strengthen your cybersecurity strategy and prevent potential attacks. Explore further resources or engage with cybersecurity experts to tailor solutions that meet your specific needs.
How Vercara can help.
Vercara’s UltraDDoS Protect is a dedicated solution for DDoS mitigation, offering robust protection through on-premises hardware, cloud-based services, or hybrid options. Designed to address any organizational requirement, Vercara provides a range of DDoS Protection services, including blocking, redirecting, and cloud mitigation of DDoS attacks. These services ensure a comprehensive and adaptable defense against DDoS threats.
For further insights into protecting your business from cyber threats, consider reaching out to our cybersecurity experts or exploring comprehensive mitigation solutions that cater to your organization’s specific needs.
