After a recent breach, the security administrator performs a wireless survey of the corporate network. The
security administrator notices a problem with the following output:
MACSSIDENCRYPTIONPOWERBEACONS00:10:A1:36:12:CCMYCORPWPA2 CCMP601202
00:10:A1:49:FC:37MYCORPWPA2 CCMP709102
FB:90:11:42:FA:99MYCORPWPA2 CCMP403031
00:10:A1:AA:BB:CCMYCORPWPA2 CCMP552021
00:10:A1:FA:B1:07MYCORPWPA2 CCMP306044
Given that the corporate wireless network has been standardized, which of the following attacks is underway?
A.
Evil twin
B.
IV attack
C.
Rogue AP
D.
DDoS
Explanation:
The question states that the corporate wireless network has been standardized. By ‘standardized’ it means the
wireless network access points are running on hardware from the same vendor. We can see this from the MAC
addresses used. The first half of a MAC address is vendor specific. The second half is network adapter
specific. We have four devices with MAC addresses that start with 00:10:A1.
The “odd one out” is the device with a MAC address starting FB:90:11. This device is from a different vendor.
The SSID of the wireless network on this access point is the same as the other legitimate access points.
Therefore, the access point with a MAC address starting FB:90:11 is impersonating the corporate access
points. This is known as an Evil Twin.
An evil twin, in the context of network security, is a rogue or fake wireless access point (WAP) that appears as
a genuine hotspot offered by a legitimate provider.
In an evil twin attack, an eavesdropper or hacker fraudulently creates this rogue hotspot to collect the personal
data of unsuspecting users. Sensitive data can be stolen by spying on a connection or using a phishing
technique.
For example, a hacker using an evil twin exploit may be positioned near an authentic Wi-Fi access point and
discover the service set identifier (SSID) and frequency. The hacker may then send a radio signal using the
exact same frequency and SSID. To end users, the rogue evil twin appears as their legitimate hotspot with the
same name.
In wireless transmissions, evil twins are not a new phenomenon. Historically, they were known as honeypots or
base station clones. With the advancement of wireless technology and the use of wireless devices in public
areas, it is very easy for novice users to set up evil twin exploits.