UDP Scan |
| Attack Pattern ID: 308 (Detailed Attack Pattern Completeness: Stub) | Typical Severity: Low | Status: Draft |
DescriptionSummary
An attacker engages in UDP scanning to gather information about UDP port status. UDP scanning methods involve sending a UDP datagram to the target port and looking for evidence that the port is closed. Open UDP ports usually do not respond to UDP datagrams as there is no stateful mechanism within the protocol that requires building or establishing a session. Responses to UDP datagrams are therefore application specific and cannot be relied upon as a method of detecting an open port. UDP scanning relies heavily upon ICMP diagnostic messages in order to determine the status of a remote port. Firewalls or ACLs which block egress ICMP error types effectively prevent UDP scans from returning any useful information. UDP scanning is further complicated by rate limiting mechanisms governing ICMP error messages. During a UDP scan, a datagram is sent to a target port. If an ICMP Type 3 Port unreachable error message is returned then the port is considered closed. Different types of ICMP messages can indicate a filtered port.
1. Speed: UDP scanning is very slow due to ICMP rate limiting
2. Stealth: RPC scanning is relatively stealthy provided the sending rate does not trigger IPS/IDS sensors
3. Open Port: Infers an open port based on no response, or an occasional response by a well-known service
4. Closed Port: Detects a closed port using return ICMP diagnostic messages from the host
5. Filtered Port: Can detect some filtered ports via ICMP diagnostic messages
6. Unfiltered Port: Can detect unfiltered ports based on some ICMP diagnostic messages
The protocol characteristics of UDP make port scanning inherently more difficult than with TCP, as well as dependent upon ICMP for accurate scanning. Due to ambiguities that can arise between open ports and filtered ports, UDP scanning results often require a high degree of interpretation and further testing to refine. In general, UDP scanning results are less reliable or accurate than TCP-based scanning.
Target Attack SurfaceTarget Attack Surface Description
Targeted OSI Layers: Network Layer
Target Attack Surface Localities
Target Attack Surface Types: Host Service
Attack PrerequisitesThe ability to send UDP datagrams to a host and receive ICMP error messages from that host. In cases where particular types of ICMP messaging is disallowed, the reliability of UDP scanning drops off sharply.
Resources RequiredThe ability to craft custom UDP Packets for use during network reconnaissance. This can be accomplished via the use of a port scanner, or via socket manipulation in a programming or scripting language. Packet injection tools are also useful. It is also necessary to trap ICMP diagnostic messages during this process. Depending upon the method used it may be necessary to sniff the network in order to see the response.
Related Attack Patterns| Nature | Type | ID | Name | Description | View(s) this relationship pertains to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChildOf |  Attack Pattern | 300 | Port Scanning | Mechanism of Attack1000 |
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