Wireless Hacking Methodology

Wireless Hacking Methodology: A Comprehensive Guide for CEH Certification

Introduction to Wireless Hacking Methodology

Wireless hacking methodology represents a systematic approach to identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in wireless networks. Understanding this methodology is crucial for ethical hackers and cybersecurity professionals as wireless networks continue to be prevalent in organizations and are often the weakest link in network security.

Why Is Understanding Wireless Hacking Methodology Important?

1. Pervasiveness of Wireless Networks: With the widespread adoption of wireless technology in corporate and personal environments, the attack surface has expanded significantly.

2. Security Vulnerabilities: Wireless networks have unique security challenges that differ from wired networks, making them attractive targets for attackers.

3. Certification Requirements: The CEH exam thoroughly tests candidates on wireless security concepts and methodologies as they represent real-world attack vectors.

4. Defense Planning: Understanding how attackers target wireless networks enables better security implementation and defense strategies.

The Wireless Hacking Methodology Process

The methodology typically follows these key phases:

1. Wireless Discovery/Reconnaissance
• Identifying wireless networks in the target area
• Tools: Kismet, inSSIDer, NetStumbler, Aircrack-ng suite
• Techniques: Wardriving, war flying, war chalking
• Information gathered: SSIDs, BSSIDs (MAC addresses), signal strength, encryption types

2. GPS Mapping
• Plotting discovered networks on maps
• Tools: Kismet with GPS, WiGLE
• Purpose: Creating visualizations of network locations for better targeting

3. Wireless Traffic Analysis
• Capturing and analyzing wireless packets
• Tools: Wireshark, Aircrack-ng suite (particularly airodump-ng)
• Objectives: Protocol analysis, identifying connected clients, capturing handshakes

4. Launching Wireless Attacks
• Passive Attacks: Eavesdropping, traffic analysis
• Active Attacks: Includes the following techniques:

5. Encryption Cracking
• WEP cracking (statistical methods, ARP replay)
• WPA/WPA2-PSK cracking (dictionary attacks, rainbow tables)
• Tools: Aircrack-ng, coWPAtty, Hashcat

6. Client-Side Attacks
• Evil twin/rogue access points
• Honeypot attacks
• Tools: Airbase-ng, WiFi-Pumpkin

7. Authentication Attacks
• MAC spoofing to bypass MAC filtering
• Deauthentication attacks to force reconnections
• Tools: Aireplay-ng, MDK3

8. Wireless DoS Attacks
• Jamming signals
• Flooding with deauthentication packets
• Tools: MDK3, Aircrack-ng suite

9. Reporting and Documentation
• Documenting findings and vulnerabilities
• Providing remediation recommendations

Key Wireless Security Protocols and Their Vulnerabilities

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
• Uses RC4 stream cipher
• Major vulnerabilities: Weak IVs, static keys
• Can be cracked in minutes using statistical methods

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access)
• Introduced TKIP to address WEP weaknesses
• Vulnerabilities: TKIP weaknesses, susceptible to dictionary attacks

WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2)
• Uses AES-CCMP for encryption
• Vulnerabilities: Susceptible to dictionary attacks (PSK mode), KRACK attack

WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3)
• Newest standard with improved security features
• Implements Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE)
• More resistant to offline dictionary attacks

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Wireless Hacking Methodology

1. Know the Tools:
• Memorize specific tools for each phase of wireless hacking
• Understand what each tool does and its limitations
• Be familiar with Aircrack-ng suite commands and their purposes

2. Understand Attack Sequences:
• Questions often test your knowledge of the correct order of steps
• Example: WEP cracking requires: (1) Start monitor mode, (2) Capture packets, (3) Generate traffic, (4) Apply cracking algorithm

3. Differentiate Between Encryption Types:
• Know the differences between WEP, WPA, WPA2, and WPA3
• Understand which attacks work against specific encryption types
• Remember key sizes and encryption algorithms used in each

4. Focus on Common Vulnerabilities:
• WPS vulnerabilities (PIN brute forcing)
• Pre-shared key weaknesses
• Management frame vulnerabilities

5. Practice With Scenario-Based Questions:
• CEH exam favors scenario-based questions over direct knowledge testing
• When presented with a scenario, identify the methodology phase and appropriate tools

6. Master the Terminology:
• Know the difference between SSID, BSSID, ESSID
• Understand terms like IV (Initialization Vector), PTW attack, PMK, GTK

7. Remember Countermeasures:
• For each attack, know the corresponding defensive measure
• Example: WPA2-Enterprise with 802.1X authentication prevents many common attacks

8. Time-Saving Tips:
• Questions about specific tools often have answers containing those tool names
• Questions about attack types will often include specific vulnerabilities in the correct answer
• Questions about encryption usually test your knowledge of key sizes and algorithms

Sample Question Types You May Encounter

1. Tool Selection:
"Which tool would be most appropriate for capturing a WPA handshake?"
2. Attack Methodology:
"What is the correct sequence of steps for cracking a WEP-encrypted network?"
3. Vulnerability Identification:
"Which security feature of WPA2 is compromised in a KRACK attack?"
4. Technical Specifications:
"What encryption algorithm and key size does WPA2 use?"
5. Scenario Analysis:
"An attacker has set up an access point with the same SSID as a corporate network. What attack is being attempted?"
Conclusion

Mastering wireless hacking methodology requires understanding both the technical aspects of wireless communications and the structured approach to testing wireless security. For the CEH exam, focus on knowing the step-by-step processes, the appropriate tools for each phase, and the specific vulnerabilities associated with different wireless security implementations. Practice applying this knowledge to scenarios rather than just memorizing facts, as the exam emphasizes practical application of these concepts.