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Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attack

A Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack is a type of cyberattack where a malicious actor intercepts and potentially alters communications between two parties without their knowledge. The attacker essentially "sits in the middle" of the communication channel, acting as a proxy to capture or manipulate data.

How MITM Works​

  1. Interception: The attacker intercepts the communication between the two parties (e.g., client and server) by gaining access to the communication channel.
  2. Decryption (Optional): If the communication is encrypted, the attacker may attempt to decrypt it.
  3. Relaying/Manipulation: The attacker relays the intercepted communication to the intended recipient, potentially altering the message content.

Techniques Used in MITM Attacks​

  1. Packet Sniffing: Using tools to capture data packets traveling over a network.
  2. DNS Spoofing: Redirecting requests for a legitimate website to a malicious site.
  3. SSL Stripping: Downgrading HTTPS connections to HTTP.
  4. Wi-Fi Eavesdropping: Exploiting unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
  5. ARP Spoofing: Associating the attacker's MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate user.

Impact of MITM Attacks​

  • Data Theft: Sensitive data, such as login credentials and financial information, can be stolen.
  • Identity Theft: Personal information can be used for fraudulent purposes.
  • Service Disruption: Attacks can disrupt normal communication and services.

Defense Mechanisms​

  1. Encryption: Always use HTTPS and enforce SSL/TLS for secure communication.
  2. Certificate Pinning: Ensure the client verifies the server’s certificate.
  3. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI): Use strong, trusted certificates.
  4. Secure Wi-Fi: Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi or use VPNs for encrypted communication.
  5. Network Monitoring: Employ intrusion detection systems to identify anomalies.

Advanced Example: SSL Stripping​

In this technique, the attacker downgrades a secure HTTPS connection to an HTTP connection. Below is a sequence of events:

In this scenario, the attacker removes the encryption provided by HTTPS, exposing sensitive information to potential misuse.