Threats

[hubertdcruze]

. Single Points of Failure - The SDN controller, as a centralized entity, creates a single point of failure within the network. If the controller is compromised, the entire network can be at risk. An attacker controlling the SDN controller could potentially redirect, block, or modify traffic, or even shut down the entire network.

· Unauthorized Access of Low Level Users - Attackers can gain access as low-level user accounts of an SDN controller and potentially compromise the entire network. Once inside the network, attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in software or configurations to escalate their privileges from a low-level user to higher-level administrative accounts. With escalated privileges, attackers can move laterally across the network, install malware, steal data, launch DoS attack, or establish persistent access in the network.

· Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks - SDN controllers managing large networks are prime targets for DDoS attacks, overwhelming the controller with a flood of requests. This can render the network unmanageable and disrupt service availability.

· Man-in-the-Middle Attacks - Attackers can intercept and alter the communication between the SDN controller and administrator workstation / local network devices / local SDN components. This could lead to data breaches, eavesdropping, traffic manipulation or can capture API calls and capturing sensitive configuration and/or authentication data.

· Software Vulnerabilities - Like any software system, SDN controllers can have vulnerabilities or bugs that can be exploited by attackers. Exploiting these vulnerabilities could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or cause a denial of service.

· Software installation, Configuration and Management Errors - Using software sourced from unauthorized providers for installation, or incorrect configurations or management errors can expose the network to various threats.

· Insider Threats - Malicious insiders with access to the SDN controller can misuse their privileges. Insiders can alter configurations, manipulate traffic, or exfiltrate sensitive data without external hacking attempts.

· Spoofing and Elevation of Privilege - Attackers might impersonate the SDN controller or escalate their privileges to gain undue control over the network.

· Lack of Physical Security - Inadequate physical security measures at data centers or server rooms where SDN controllers are housed can lead to unauthorized access or physical tampering.

· Insecure Interfaces and APIs - Insecure application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interfaces can provide attackers with opportunities to inject malicious code or to retrieve sensitive information. Unwanted and or unauthorized API functions executed and API manipulations can compromise network services and sensitive data leakage can take place through insecure interfaces.

· Resource Exhaustion - Attackers could target the computational resources of the SDN controller (CPU, memory) with the intent to deplete them. This can slow down or even halt network operations, leading to service degradation or total network failure.

· Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) - Web-based management interfaces of SDN controllers are potential targets for XSS and CSRF attacks, where malicious scripts are injected to manipulate controller actions without proper authorization.

· Zero-Day Exploits - Attackers can exploit unknown or unpatched vulnerabilities in the SDN controller software, often referred to as zero-day vulnerabilities.

· Topology Poisoning - Attackers may manipulate the network topology information managed by the SDN controller. This can be done by injecting false information to mislead the controller about the network structure.

· Flow Table Overflow - SDN controllers manage flow tables to control how routers and switches handle traffic. By overwhelming these tables, attackers can cause legitimate traffic to be dropped or misrouted.

· Logical Exploits – By reverse engineering attackers may exploit logical flaws in the design and implementation of the network or the SDN protocol itself.

· Backdoor Attacks - Intentional or unintentional backdoors in software or firmware can give attackers hidden access to the SDN controller and network devices.

· Quantum Computing Threats - The rise of quantum computing could eventually break traditional encryption methods currently protecting the data and control messages within an SDN environment.

[destineeb]

in ESR update first bullet point under threats to: Insecure Interfaces and APIs - Insecure application programming interfaces (APIs) and user interfaces can provide attackers with opportunities to inject malicious code or to retrieve sensitive information. Unwanted and or unauthorized API functions executed and API manipulations can compromise network services and sensitive data leakage can take place through insecure interfaces. This will be new threat T.Insecure_Interfaces in the PP. The other SFRs will be inherited from NDcPP as the baseline.