SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING WHETHER A SOURCE OF A PACKET FLOW TRANSMITS PACKETS WHICH BYPASS AN OPERATING SYSTEM STACK

• US 20160359890A1
• Filed: 06/02/2016
• Published: 12/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Deen, Khawar, Yadav, Navindra, Gupta, Anubhav, Gandham, Shashidhar, Prasad, Rohit Chandra, Singh, Abhishek Ranjan, Chang, Shih-Chun
• Granted Patent: US 10,454,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/122 using management policies backup systems G06F11/1446; file migration policies for HSM systems G06F16/185
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• CPC Class Codes: G06N 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
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• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/14 : Monitoring arrangements for SDH/SONET rings H04J3/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/242 : by comparing a transmitted test signal with a locally generated replica
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 : comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0668 : by dynamic selection of recovery network elements, e.g. replacement by the most appropriate element after failure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 : Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 : for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 : the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
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• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 : Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/16 : using machine learning or artificial intelligence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 : comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
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• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/026 : using flow identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/04 : Processing captured monitoring data, e.g. for logfile generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/045 : for graphical visualisation of monitoring data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/062 : related to network traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 : Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0805 : by checking availability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 : by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 : Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0841 : Round trip packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0858 : One way delays
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• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0882 : Utilisation of link capacity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0888 : Throughput
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 : Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/106 : using time related information in packets, e.g. by adding timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 : Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 : Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/20 : the monitoring system or the monitored elements being virtualised, abstracted or software-defined entities, e.g. SDN or NFV
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/306 : Route determination based on the nature of the carried application
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/38 : Flow based routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/46 : Cluster building
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/507 : Label distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/66 : Layer 2 routing, e.g. in Ethernet based MAN's
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/74 : Address processing for routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/11 : Identifying congestion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/20 : Traffic policing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2441 : relying on flow classification, e.g. using integrated services [IntServ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2483 : involving identification of individual flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/28 : in relation to timing considerations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/31 : by tagging of packets, e.g. using discard eligibility [DE] bits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/32 : by discarding or delaying data units, e.g. packets or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 : Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0227 : Filtering policies mail message filtering H04L51/212
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0263 : Rule management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 : for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 : by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1416 : Event detection, e.g. attack signature detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1425 : Traffic logging, e.g. anomaly detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1433 : Vulnerability analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1441 : Countermeasures against malicious traffic countermeasures against attacks on cryptographic mechanisms H04L9/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/145 : the attack involving the propagation of malware through the network, e.g. viruses, trojans or worms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1458 : Denial of Service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1466 : Active attacks involving interception, injection, modification, spoofing of data unit addresses, e.g. hijacking, packet injection or TCP sequence number attacks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/16 : Implementing security features at a particular protocol layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
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• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 : for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 : Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 : Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 : Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/10 : Arrangements for initial synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0866 : involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3239 : involving non-keyed hash functions, e.g. modification detection codes [MDCs], MD5, SHA or RIPEMD
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3242 : involving keyed hash functions, e.g. message authentication codes [MACs], CBC-MAC or HMAC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/54 : based on quality criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method includes capturing first data associated with a first packet flow originating from a first host using a first capture agent deployed at the first host to yield first flow data, capturing second data associated with a second packet flow originating from the first host from a second capture agent deployed on a second host to yield second flow data and comparing the first flow data and the second flow data to yield a difference. When the difference is above a threshold value, the method includes determining that the second packet flow was transmitted by a component that bypassed an operating stack of the first host or a packet capture agent at the device to yield a determination, detecting that hidden network traffic exists, and predicting a malware issue with the first host based on the determination.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

capturing first data associated with a first packet flow originating from a first host using a first capture agent deployed at the first host to yield first flow data;

capturing second data associated with a second packet flow originating from the first host using a second capture agent deployed at a second host to yield second flow data, wherein the first capturing agent is deployed in a first layer of a network and the second capturing agent is deployed in a second layer of the network;

comparing the first flow data and the second flow data to yield a difference; and

when the difference is above a threshold value, determining that the second packet flow was transmitted by a component that bypassed one of an operating stack of the first host and a packet capture agent on the first host, to yield a determination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data and the second data comprise metadata associated respectively with the first packet flow and the second packet flow.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data comprises first packet content of the first packet flow and the second data comprise second packet content of the second packet flow.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first data and the second data comprise network data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a collector receives the first flow data and the second flow data and performs the step of comparing the first flow data and the second flow data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein when the difference is above a threshold value, the step of determining that the second packet flow was transmitted by a component that bypassed one of the operating stack of the first host and the packet capture agent of the first host further comprises determining that hidden network traffic exists.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein when the hidden network traffic exists, the method further comprises performing a correcting action comprising one or more of:

isolating a virtual machine, isolating a container, limiting packets to and from the first host, requiring all packets to and from the first host to flow through an operating stack of the first host, isolating the first host, shutting down the first host, and notifying an administrator.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying a computing environment that generated the first packet flow and the second packet flow.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, based on the determination, determining that hidden network traffic exists.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising taking a corrective action.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising predicting a presence of a malicious entity in the first host based on the hidden network traffic.

12. A system comprising:

A processor; and

a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

capturing first data associated with a first packet flow originating from a first host using a first capture agent deployed at the first host to yield first flow data;

capturing second data associated with a second packet flow originating from the first host using a second capture agent deployed at a second host to yield second flow data, wherein the first capturing agent is deployed in a first layer of a network and the second capturing agent is deployed in a second layer of the network ;

comparing the first flow data and the second flow data to yield a difference; and

when the difference is above a threshold value, determining that the second packet flow was transmitted by a component that bypassed one of an operating stack of the first host and a packet capture agent on the first host, to yield a determination.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first data and the second data comprise one of (1) metadata associated respectively with the first packet flow and the second packet flow and (2) network data.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first data comprises first packet content of the first packet flow and the second data comprise second packet content of the second packet flow.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein a collector receives the first flow data and the second flow data and performs the step of comparing the first flow data and the second flow data.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein when the difference is above a threshold value, the step of determining that the second packet flow was transmitted by a component that bypassed one of the operating stack of first host and the packet capture agent of the first host further comprises determining that hidden network traffic exists.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:

wherein when the hidden network traffic exists, performing a correcting action comprising one or more of;

isolating a virtual machine, isolating a container, limiting packets to and from the first host, requiring all packets to and from the first host to flow through an operating stack of the first host, isolating the first host, shutting down the first host, and notifying an administrator.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:

identifying a computing environment that generated the first packet flow and the second packet flow.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores additional instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform further operations comprising:

based on the determination, determining that hidden network traffic exists.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising performing one of:

taking a corrective action and predicting a presence of a malicious entity in the first host based on the hidden network traffic.