Virtual Private Networks and IPSec ECE 4112

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security What is a VPN? VPN Stands for Virtual Private Network A method of ensuring private, secure communication between hosts over an insecure medium using tunneling Usually between geographically separate locations, but doesn’t have to be Via tunneling and software drivers, computer is logically directly connected to a network that it is not physically a part of ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

Sidebar: What is tunneling? Putting one type of packet inside another Both parties must be aware of tunnel for it to work Example in next slide - AppleTalk over IP Tunnel ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

Example: AppleTalk over IP Tunnel ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security What is a VPN? (cont…) Uses some means of encryption to secure communications IPSec SSH Software could be written to support any type of encryption scheme Two main types of VPNs – Remote-Access Site-to-Site ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security What is a VPN? (cont…) Remote-Access The typical example of this is a dial-up connection from home or for a mobile worker, who needs to connect to secure materials remotely Site-to-Site The typical example of this is a company that has offices in two different geographical locations, and wants to have a secure network connection between the two ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

Remote-Access Example ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Site-to-Site Example ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Why Use a VPN? Originally designed as inexpensive alternative WAN over leased lines Now mostly used to securely connect computers over the internet Convenient Lot’s of cheap and convenient protocols are insecure (IP, 802.11, etc) Can now communicate securely over these insecure protocols ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Why Use a VPN? (cont…) Example – it can simplify security (what is about to be proposed is not the most secure thing in the world – so don’t raise your hands and tell how you would make it more secure… it’s just an example) Assume simple security policy with IP based access management – for example, an FTP server with site-licensed software on it for employees Before VPN, complicated to allow access to FTP site for telecommuters or traveling employees Train all employees to use SSH tunnel, etc… After VPN, employees offsite can still connect using an internal IP address ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security VPN Advantages Improved Security Consolidation of Scattered Resources Transparency to Users If set up properly Reduced Cost (vs. Leased Lines) ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security VPN Disadvantages Time Consuming Setup Possibly Frustrating Troubleshooting Interoperability with other Networks/VPNs Small performance overhead Should be negligible on today’s hardware ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security VPN Security In academic terms, VPN can provide Confidentiality, Integrity, and Authenticity Security against determined hacker (read: academic attacks) depends largely upon underlying protocols used Assuming security of SSH, IPSec, or other protocol used, should be secure ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security How are VPNs set up? Many different types of setup Vary in: Amount of hardware used vs. amount of software used All hardware based All software based Mixed Amount of transparency to end-user Does the user even realize that they are using a VPN? ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

How are VPNs set up? (cont…) The following is not an exhaustive list Gateway to gateway Using two VPN aware Gateways End host to gateway End host uses VPN Software End host to end host Both hosts use software End host to concentrator ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

How are VPNs set up? (cont…) SSH over PPP SSL over PPP Concentrator using IPSec Others (PPTP, L2TP, etc) ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security VPN via SSH & PPP Point-to-Point Protocol over a Secure Shell connection Establishing a Network Connection Establish an SSH connection VPN Client  VPN Server Each have PPP daemons that will communicate through the SSH connection Viola! A VPN CONNECTION! ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security VPN via SSL & PPP Point-to-Point Protocol over a Secure Socket Layer connection Secure Socket Layer Built-in support for Host Authentication Certificates ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

VPN via SSL & PPP (cont…) Establishing a Network Connection Initial Handshake for secure communication “Hello” messages establish: SSL Version, support for Cipher suites, and some random data Key is determined separately from handshake SSL Connection Complete! Data transferred over the link ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security VPN via Concentrator What is a Concentrator? Concentrator is NOT a gateway or firewall Specialized device that accepts connections from VPN peers Authenticates clients Enforces VPN security policies Takes overhead of VPN management and encryption off of gateways and local hosts ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

VPN via Concentrator (cont…) Steps to Establish VPN Set up Concentrator (add users, specify authentication mechanisms, set IP address ranges, etc) Install client software Client runs software when wants to be on VPN ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Other Methods Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol Microsoft’s Implementation of VPN Data is first encapsulated inside PPP packets PPP packets are then encapsulated in GRE packets and sent over the link PPTP uses two connections One for the data being sent Another for a control channel ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Other Methods (cont…) Any technology can be used Must have hardware or software to support it Another example: L2TP on Gateways Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol Supported by routers If two routers support L2TP, and are properly configured, then VPN is set up between routers Transparent to end user ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Intro to IPSec Created to add Authentication, Confidentiality, and Integrity to IP traffic Designed to combat specific shortcomings in IP IPSec is large and implementation is complicated What follows is a high-level overview As will see in lab, need not be used only as VPN technology – can be stand alone ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Intro to IPSec (cont…) IP Sec ≠ VPN IP Sec is a protocol used in many VPNs Two main modes Transport Tunnel Two main services AH (Authentication Header protocol) ESP (Encapsulating Security Protocol) ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Intro to IPSec (cont…) Authentication Header protocol Offers Authenticity and Integrity Uses cryptographic hash Covers entire packet, including static header fields If any part of original message changes, it will be detected Does not encrypt message Can be used to authenticate – Prevents IP Spoofing ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Intro to IPSec (cont…) Encapsulating Security Protocol Provides Integrity and Confidentiality Encrypts payload If used in tunnel mode, encrypts original IP header ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Intro to IPSec (cont…) Transport Mode Or Real IP Header IP Options IPSec Header Payload (For example, TCP and Payload) ESP Header Could be either AH Header Authenticates Over Encrypts Over ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Intro to IPSec (cont…) Tunnel Mode Or GW IP Header IPSec Header Real IP Header Payload (For example, TCP and Payload) ESP Header Could be either AH Header Authenticates Over Encrypts Over ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Intro to IPSec (cont…) AH and ESP can be used together Tunnel ESP through AH transport packets Want to protect cryptographic keys Internet Key Exchange protocol (IKE) Secure way to exchange session keys based on shared secret Can also use certificates (public key cryptography) ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Resources Books: Building Linux Virtual Private Networks Oleg Kolesnikov, Brian Hatch Linux Server Hacks Rob Flickenger Network Security Charlie Kaufman, Radia Perlman, Mike Speciner ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security

ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security Resources (cont…) Lecture Slides by Wenke Lee (see below) Websites: http://vpn.shmoo.com/ http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/VPN-HOWTO/ http://www.onlamp.com/lpt/a/3009 http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/471/how_vpn_works.shtml http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2004/cs4803_fall/ipsec_1.ppt http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/AY2004/cs4803_fall/ipsec_2.ppt ECE 4112 - Internetwork Security