Blockchain Defense against DDoS Attacks

The relentless expansion of the Internet has brought about an unprecedented integration of devices, both portable and stationary, into its infrastructure.

This integration has led to a significant increase in traffic flow between devices, consequently heightening security vulnerabilities. Among these threats, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks stand out as one of the most formidable. These attacks can cripple critical enterprise services, rendering them inaccessible and causing significant disruptions. Despite the existing preventive mechanisms, they have often proven inadequate in providing comprehensive protection against DDoS threats.

Therefore, a decentralized and automated approach is necessary for effective mitigation, which can be achieved through the synergistic use of Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies.

Motivation

The motivation for this project stems from the rapid proliferation of connected devices, which has exacerbated the threat posed by DDoS attacks. Traditional DDoS mitigation strategies, which often rely on centralized servers, lack the resources and adaptability needed to combat these sophisticated attacks. Emerging technologies such as blockchain, smart contracts, and SDN offer promising solutions. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized nature, provides a secure environment where transactions can occur without the need for a central authority. This characteristic is particularly appealing in the context of DDoS mitigation, as it allows for secure communication even in trustless environments. Furthermore, the integration of blockchain with SDN enables advanced network functionalities that can efficiently counter DDoS attacks.

Problem Definition

Enterprise networks are perpetually at risk of external attacks that could compromise data confidentiality and integrity. To address this challenge, a distributed peer-to-peer network must be established using blockchain and SDN technologies. This network will detect incoming threats through its distributed topology, thereby safeguarding the system from external vulnerabilities. By storing IP addresses of network traffic in blockchain ledgers, the system ensures that each node has access to updated information, enabling coordinated and effective responses to potential threats.

Related Works

Numerous DDoS mitigation strategies have been explored over the years, each with its strengths and limitations. Traditional approaches often revolve around centralized servers, which are vulnerable to being targeted during attacks, potentially leading to a failure in retrieving essential IP lists. Blockchain-based solutions, such as those developed by Gladius, have proposed using public blockchain networks for bandwidth sharing among nodes. However, these solutions face challenges related to trust and scalability. The proposed system overcomes these limitations by utilizing a private blockchain network, ensuring secure and efficient bandwidth sharing among trusted nodes. Additionally, SDN-based strategies have been explored, leveraging the separation of the control plane from the data plane to improve network visibility and management. Despite their potential, these solutions can introduce overhead and do not fully address security issues inherent in SDN environments. By integrating blockchain and SDN capabilities, the proposed system aims to enhance the effectiveness of DDoS mitigation efforts.

Proposed Architecture

The architecture of the proposed system is divided into three main components: SDN, Blockchain, and Smart Contracts. SDN enables centralized control and programmability of the network, allowing for the implementation of flow rules that can block DDoS traffic. By deploying OpenDayLight as an SDN controller and using Mininet for network emulation, the system can test and manage custom network topologies. Blockchain provides a decentralized ledger where information about DDoS attacks can be securely shared among collaborative hosts. The private Ethereum blockchain ensures that only trusted nodes participate in the network, mitigating the risk of attacks. Smart contracts, implemented on Solidity, facilitate the automated processing of blacklisted and whitelisted IP addresses, ensuring that security policies and countermeasures are enforced based on historical data and attack characteristics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this paper presents a novel approach to DDoS mitigation by combining blockchain, smart contracts, and SDN technologies. The decentralized nature of blockchain, coupled with the programmability of SDN, creates a robust framework for collaborative DDoS defense. The system's consensus protocol enhances its ability to prevent false alarms, a limitation of traditional mitigation strategies. By testing the system with and without blockchain, its effectiveness can be evaluated, demonstrating the added security benefits that blockchain technology brings to the table.

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