When we talk about the TCP three-way handshake, it sounds like the start of a joke. But in reality, it’s the foundation for a two-way connection between computers that is essential for internet communication. But like all good things, there are some mischievous ways it can go wrong.
The Good: Establishing a Connection
The handshake starts with a SYN package sent from the originator (your computer) to the server, specifying an IP address and port number. The server responds with a SYN-ACK message, and the originator sends another SYN message to confirm the connection. This three-step process is the basis for building a reliable connection between two devices.
The Bad: Stealth Scanning
But what if there's a security loophole in this handshake? If the third part of the handshake, the final SYN message, isn't sent, some defensive systems may not register the connection attempt. This is what nmap, a popular network scanning tool, uses to perform "stealth scanning". By dropping the last part of the handshake, nmap can gather information about a server without raising any alarms.
The Not Funny: SYN Flood Attacks
The SYN flood attack takes advantage of the handshake system in a more sinister way. Since servers have a limited number of connections they can maintain, an attacker can send numerous SYN packages without completing the handshake, leaving the server's connections hanging until they timeout. This can lead to a denial of service (DDoS) attack, which overwhelms the server and prevents it from responding to legitimate requests.
The interesting twist is that the attacker doesn't even need to use their own IP address when sending the SYN packages. They can spoof any IP address they want, and the server will still respond with SYN-ACK packages, making the attack even harder to trace.
In Conclusion
The TCP three-way handshake is an essential component of internet communication, but as with most things, it has its quirks and vulnerabilities. From stealth scanning for reconnaissance to SYN flood attacks for causing mayhem, the handshake has proven that it’s not just a boring technical process – it’s also a source of some good, bad, and not funny stories in the world of networking.