Method and arrangement for preventing illegitimate use of ip addresses

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates to a method and a device in an IP network, which counteracts illegitimate use of IP addresses.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

0002Subscribers in an IP network can use IP addresses that are not aquired in a legitimate way. The subscriber can use someone else's IP address or an IP address currently not in use. The subscriber, who may be e.g. an enterprise, is connected to a broadband island, and uses the IP address to identify itself on the network. If the subscriber has abuse intentions it is appealing to use such an illegitimate IP address. Abuse tracking is namely based on the IP address and the abuser would benefit from the illegitimate address, since the abuser would be more difficult to track at an investigation.

0003In the international patent application <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="WO9826550A"><text>WO 98/26550</text></patcit> is disclosed a system for allocating and using IP addresses in a network with subscriber systems. Each subscriber system is connected to a DHCP server via a cable modem. The DHCP server leases IP addresses to the subscriber systems and works in combination with a secure DHCP relay agent and a secure IP relay agent. When a subscriber system sends a DHCP request message, the DHCP relay agent adds a trusted identifier to the message and transmits it to the DHCP server. The trusted identifier, which is associated with the requesting subscriber system, is used by the DHCP server to prevent the subscriber system to access IP address leases of other subscriber systems. The DHCP server also counts the number of IP address leases per trusted identifier and restricts it to a predetermined number. The system requires a non-standard DHCP server and subscriber system.

0004<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US6061798A"><text>US 6,061,798</text></patcit> discloses a firewall for isolating network elements from a publicly accessible network. All access to protected network elements must go through the firewall, operating on a stand alone computer. An proxy agent, specifically assigned to an incoming request, verifies the authority of the request to access a network element indicated in the request. Once verified, the proxy agent completes the connection to the protected network on behalf of the source of the incoming request.

0005It's known in the art to prevent misuse of IP addresses by a filter in a switch, which is connected to a subscriber. A subscriber's data frames are filtered for illegitimate addresses. The filter is built up and is updated by a network operator.

0006A dynamic source IP address filtering switch, implementing a DHCP Relay Agent, is disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US20020023160A1"><text>US 2002/0023160 A1</text></patcit>.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0007The present invention deals with the abovementioned problem how to restrict the use of allocated IP addresses in an IP network to legitimate ones.

0008Another problem is how to prevent a subscriber to use per se legitimate IP addresses, which the subsciber has obtained in an illegitimate way.

0009Still a problem is how to prevent the subscriber to make a great number of attempts to illegitimately use IP addresses.

0010Still another problem is that an operator has to build up and update a filter for statically allocated addresses.

0011The problem is solved by an IP filter device with subscriber identifications and corresponding IP addresses. Data frames from the subscribers have to have the correct source IP address to pass the filter device. The IP filter is successively updated as new subscriber IP addresses are used. In case of IP addresses being allocated by DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) servers, only trusted servers are allowed to allocate subscriber IP addresses to the subscribers.

0012The IP filter is dynamically updated in the following way. A subscriber requests for an IP address. An address response with an allocated IP address from a DHCP server is analysed both to be a DHCP frames and to come from one of the trusted DHCP servers, which servers are noted on a list. The allocated IP address and its lease time is stored in the IP filter together with an identification of the subscriber. When the lease time is out the subscriber identification and the IP address are deleted from the filter. New subscribers are stored successively. Traffic from one of the subscribers has to have the subscribers assigned IP address as source address to pass the filter. Attempts from a subscriber to use illegitimate IP addresses are counted and at a predetermined number of attempts a warning is generated.

0013A purpose with the invention is to restrict the use of IP addresses to legitimate ones.

0014Another purpose is to prevent a subscriber to use per se legitimate IP addresses which, the subscriber has obtained in an illegitimate way.

0015Still a purpose is how to prevent the subscriber to make a great number of attempts to illegitimately use IP addresses.

0016Yet another purpose is that the mentioned IP address limitations will work automatically in an environment with dynamically allocated IP addresses.

0017The invention has the advantage that only trusted DHCP servers can allocate IP addresses.

0018Another advantage is that a subscriber can use only legitimate IP addresses obtained in a legitimate way.

0019A further advantage is that it is possible to prevent repeated attempts to get IP addresses.

0020Still another advantage is that a subscriber, that intends to misuse the network, can't make tracing more difficult by using an IP address obtained illegitimately.

0021Also, advantages are that an operator does not need to build up and update a filter, an automated process is not affected by human errors and management of the system is cheap.

0022The invention will now be more closely descibed with the aid of embodiments in connection with the enclosed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0023<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> shows a view over an IP network;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> shows a block shematic over a switch;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref> shows a table in the switch;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref> shows a block schematic over an IP frame;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 5</figref> shows a flow chart for procedures in the switch;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 6</figref> shows a block scematic over a list;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 7</figref> shows a block scematic over a counter; and</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 8</figref> shows a flow chart for alternative procedures in the switch.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

0024<figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> shows a view over a simple IP network 1. The network 1 includes a core network 2 which is connected to a service provider 3, DHCP servers 4, 4a and 4b and to a switch 5 via an uplink port PN. The switch in turn includes a switch engine 8, which is connected to a database 7 and an IP filter device 9. The filter device is connected to physical switch ports P1, P2, P3 for subscribers. A subscriber device 6 is connected to the core network 2 via the IP filter 9 in the switch 5. The subscriber device 6 has in conventional manner a MAC address MAC1 and is connected to the physical switch port P1 and to a virtual LAN VLAN1 on that port. Also, a subscriber 6A with a MAC address MAC2 is connected to the port with the identification P2 on a virtual LAN VLAN2 and the switch also has a further port P3.

0025Conventional dynamic address allocation works in short in the following manner. A subscriber in a conventional IP network with dynamic address allocation wants to have an IP address, which he has paid for. He then broadcasts a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) request. A DHCP server notes the request and responds with an IP address and a lease time interval for the address. The subscriber now can communicate with other subscribers or a service provider via the network. A subscriber with abuse intentions can acquire an IP address in an illegitimate way, which makes it more difficult to track him on the network. The subscriber can e.g. get the address from a bogus DHCP server or can himself write an address that belongs to someone else or is currently not in use. The subscriber can also behave in other unacceptable ways, e.g. request and get a great number of IP addresses and thereby make it difficult for other subscibers to get an address.

0026In brief the switch 5 works in the following manner. To prevent misuse of allocated IP addresses the inventive switch 5 is equipped with the filter 5 for IP address spoofing protection, that can be enabled or disabled per virtual LAN. The switch 5 also has a list L1 over trusted ones of the DHCP servers, in the embodiment the servers 4, 4a and 4b. The switch is configured such that, when the spoofing protection is enabled, all IP addresses are blocked on the subscribers switch port. The only traffic allowed is DHCP traffic to the trusted DHCP servers, DHCP broadcasts and sending of ARPs (Address Resolution Protocol). When the subscriber 6 needs an IP address he broadcasts a DHCP request. The DHCP servers 4, 4a, 4b read the request and responds with a frame, that indicates an assigned subscriber IP address IP1 and a lease time interval T1 for this address. The frame also has a source IP address defining the respective DHCP server. The switch 5 checks via this source IP address if the frame is sent by the trusted DHCP servers 4, 4a, 4b on the list. It also checks that it really is a DHCP frame that is received. The switch 5 has stored in the database 7 the MAC address MAC1 of the subscriber 6, an identification of its pysical port P1 and its virtual LAN VLAN1. The switch now dynamically configures the filter 9, which per subscriber includes the following values: The subscriber MAC address MAC1, the subscriber's port identification P1, the subscriber's virtual LAN VLAN1, the received subscriber IP address IP1 and the lease time interval T1 for the IP address. When the subscriber 6 sends a message the switch compares the subscriber source IP address in the transmitted frames with the assigned subscriber IP address IP1 in the filter 9 on the subscriber's port identification P1 and virtual LAN VLAN1. With correct IP address the frames pass the filter, else the frames are discarded. When the lease time interval T1 is out the subscriber identification and the assigned subscriber IP address IP1 is deleted from the filter (9). More details of the above briefly described processes will be given in connection with <figref idref="f0003">figure 5</figref>.

0027In a corresponding manner as above the IP filter 9 will be dynamically configured with subscriber values for the subscriber 6A: The port identification P2, the virtual LAN VLAN2, an allocated subscriber IP address IP2 and a corresponding lease time interval T2.

0028Statically allocated IP adresses can in one alternative be written directly into the IP filter 9. In another alternative the DHCP servers have the statically assigned IP address for a subscriber. The latter makes a conventional DHCP request for its static IP address. The DHCP server notes the subscriber's MAC address in the request and always allocates the subscriber's statically assigned IP address. Statically assigned IP addresses of the first type can be used e.g. when applications on a computer can't utilize DHCP requests for an IP address.

0029In <figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref> the switch 5 is shown in some more detail. The IP filter 9 is connected to the switch ports P1, P2 and P3 and to the data base 7. It is also connected to the switch engine 8 and to a classifier 10. In the database 7 is stored the subscriber's MAC address MAC1, its port identification P1 and the virtual LAN identity VLAN1. The IP filter 9 has a list over the trusted DHCP servers and also a subscriber table, which list and table will be described in connection with <figref idref="f0002">figure 3</figref>. The classifier 10 checks if transmitted data frames come from or to a subscriber and whether the DHCP message is a DHCPACK message or some other DHCP message. Which operations, in more detail, the respective switch part 7,8,9 and 10 performs when the subscriber 6 makes DHCP requests or exchanges messages with the network 2 and the service providers 3 will be described in connection with <figref idref="f0003">figure 5</figref>.

0030It was mentioned above that the filter 9 was configured with subscriber values. The values are stored in a filter table TAB1, which is shown in <figref idref="f0002">figure 3</figref>. In a field 31 the different subscribers 6, 6A are stored with their respective MAC addresses MAC1 and MAC2. A field 32 gives the subscriber's port number P1 respective P2 and a field 33 gives the identities VLAN1 respective VLAN2 for the subscriber's virtual LAN:s. In a field 34 the subscriber IP addresses IP1 respective IP2 are written and in a field 35 the address lease time intervals T1 respective T2 are written. In <figref idref="f0004">figure 6</figref> is shown a list L1 having fields 61, 62, 63 for the respective trusted DHCP servers 4, 4a and 4b with their IP address IP4, IP4a and IP4b.

0031The communication in the network 1 is performed in accordance with the TCP/IP Seven Layer Stack. In <figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref> is shown an Ethernet frame FR1 according to the standard IEEE802.1q. The frame has a field D1 for a destination MAC address and a following field S1 for a source MAC address. It also has a field TY2 indicating that VLAN is in use. A field VL1 points out which virtual LAN that is concerned by a virtual LAN tag. In the present example this tag is the virtual LAN identity, exemplified by the identities VLAN1 and VLAN2. The frame includes a field TY1 for defining a type of Ethernet frame. A field EPL1 contains the Ethernet payload including an IP header IPH with source and destination IP addresses, the lease time interval and the message that is to be transmitted.

0032<figref idref="f0003">Figure 5</figref> is a flow chart describing an embodiment of different tasks that the switch 5 performs. In a block 501 the switch receives an incoming frame and this task is denoted by (1) in the block. In a block 502 a task (2) is performed, including checking from where the frame comes. The switch has both the subscriber ports P1, P2, P3 and the network port PN, and it is checked on which type of port the frame is received.

0033In an alternative 503 the incoming frame comes on one of the subscriber ports P1, P2 or P3. In a block 504 then a task (3) is performed, including a check whether the frame is a DHCP message. This is checked by checking the source and destination port numbers in the UDP message, given that the system is restricted such that only DHCP messages may use port 67 and 68. If the DHCP message check fails it implies that someome is using ports 67 and 68 and the message is discarded. If the frame is found to be a DHCP message, according to an alternative YES1, the frame is accepted by a block 505. This block performs a task (6), which includes that the frame is forwarded and in this case forwarded to the core network 2. If the frame is not a DHCP message, according to an alternative NO1, a task (4) is performed in a block 506. The task (4) includes a check whether a frame source information is valid. It is checked that the layer 2 source MAC address, the layer 3 IP address, the lease time interval and in actual cases the identification of the virtual LAN are all valid on the actual port. In the present embodiment it is in other words checked in the table TAB1 that the MAC address MAC1, the IP address IP1, the lease time interval T1 and the LAN identification VLAN1 are valid on the port P1. In an alternative NO2 the check task (4) shows that the source information is not valid and in a block 507 a task (5) is performed which implies that the frame is discarded. In an alternative YES2 for the block 506 the source information is valid and the frame is accepted in the block 505 by performing the task (6).

0034The block 502 has the task (2) by which it can in an alternative 508 detect that the frame comes from the core network 2 on the port PN. In a block 509 a task (7) is performed, which includes the check wheter the frame is a DHCP message. In an alternative NO3, when the frame is not a DHCP message, the frame is accepted in the block 505, which performs the task (6). In an alternative YES3, when the frame is a DHCP message, the frame is checked in a block 510 performing a task (8). This task includes a question whether the DHCP message originates from a valid DHCP server, i.e. is a server that is stored in the list L1. In an alternative N04 the server is not valid and the frame is discarded in a block 511 performing the task (5). In another alternative YES4 the server is valid and a check is performed in a block 512 performing a task (9). The check includes a question whether the frame is a DHCP acknowledge message. In an alternative NO5, when the frame is not an acknowledge message, the frame is accepted in the block 505. In an opposite alternative YES5 the frame is an acknowledge message. It is then handled in a block 513 performing a task (10). This task includes that the layer 3 IP address and the lease time interval are added in the database 7. Then the information about the layer 2 suorce MAC address, the layer 3 IP address, the port identification, the lease time interval and the virtual LAN identification for the subscriber are inserted in the table TAB1. The frame is then accepted, task (6) in the block 505.

0035In <figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref> it is denoted which parts of the switch 5 that performs the different tasks. The IP filter 9 performs the task (1) of receiving an incoming frame, the task (4) concerning frame source information, the task (5) handling discarding of frames, the task (6) of accepting a frame, the task (8) handling the question of valid DHCP server and the task (10) of inserting values in the filter table TAB1. The classifier 10 performs the task (2) of checking from where the frames come, the task (3) of checking whether a frame is a DHCP message from a subscriber, the task (7) of checking whether a frame is a DHCP message from the core network and the task (9) whether a frame is an acknowledge message.

0036In connection with <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref> it was briefly described the processes when the subscriber 6 gets the IP address IP1 and then sends a message. First the process of getting the address will be more closely described in connection with <figref idref="f0003">figure 5</figref>.

0037The subscriber 6 sends a DHCP discovery message M1 which is received by the switch 5 according to the block 501 ,task (1). In the block 502, task (2), the origin of the message M1 is checked and according to the alternative 503 the port P1 is decided. According to the block 504, task (3) and the alternative YES1, the message M1 is a DHCP message that is accepted in the block 505, task (6) and is forwarded to the core network 2.

0038One or more of the DHCP servers 4, 4a, 4b returns each a DHCP offer message M2 with an offered IP address. According to the block 501, task (1), the message M2 is received and in the block 502, task (2), its origin is checked. The port PN is decided according to the alternative 508 and in the block 509, task (7), and the alternative YES3 it is noted that the message M2 is a DHCP message. According to the block 510, task (8) and alternative YES4, the DHCP server 4 is valid. In the block 512, task (9) and alternative NO5, the message M2 is pointed out not be a DHCP acknowledge message and in the block 505, task (6), the DHCP offer message M2 is forwarded to the subscriber 6.

0039The subscriber 6 now selects one of the offered IP addresses, in the embodiment the address IP1 from the server 4. The subscriber requests for the address IP1 by a DHCP request M3 which is received by the switch 5 according to the block 501, task (1). In the block 502, task (2), the origin of the message M3 is checked and according to the alternative 503 the port P1 is decided. According to the block 504, task (3) and the alternative YES1, the message M3 is a DHCP message that is accepted in the block 505, task (6) and is forwarded to the core network 2.

0040The selected one of the DHCP servers, server 4, returnes a DHCP acknowledge message M4, confirming the offered IP address IP1. According to the block 501, task (1), the message M4 is received and in the block 502, task (2) its origin is checked. The port PN is decided according to the alternative 508 and in the block 509, task (7), and the alternative YES3 it is noted that the message M4 is a DHCP message. According to the block 510, task (8) and alternative YES4, the DHCP server 4 that has sent the message M4 is valid. In the block 512, task (9) and alternative YES5, the message M4 is pointed out to be a DHCP acknowledge message (DHCPACK). It is then handled in the block 513, task (10) by which the information about the subscriber's layer 2 source MAC address MAC1, the received layer 3 IP address IP1, the port identification P1, the virtual LAN identification VLAN1 and the lease time interval T1 are inserted in the table TAB1. The message M4 is thereby accepted and in the block 505, task (6), the DHCP acknowledge message M4 is forwarded to the subscriber 6. The subscriber now has a valid IP address.

0041It should be noted that a subscriber, e.g. the subscriber 6, can legitimately use more than one IP address. The subscriber makes an agreement with an operator and obtains in this legitimate way further subscriptions for IP addresses. The number of legitimate IP addresses is noted in the database 7. The IP addresses themselves are obtained from the trusted servers in the same way as the address IP1 and are noted in the filter table TAB1.

0042The subscriber 6 now wants to utilize a service from the service provider 3 and sends a message M5 in <figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>. According to the block 501, task (1), the switch 5 receives the message M5. In the block 502, task (2), it is checked from where the message M5 comes. In the alternative 503 it comes on the subscriber port P1. In the block 504, task (3), it is checked whether the message M5 is a DHCP message. As it is not so, according to the alternative NO1, it is checked in the table TAB1, according to the block 506, task (4), that the layer 2 source MAC address MAC1, the layer 3 IP address IP1, the lease time interval T1 and the the virtual LAN identification VLAN1 are all valid on the actual port P1. In the alternative YES2 the information is valid and the message M5 is accepted in the block 505, task (6). The message is now forwarded to the service provider 3.

0043If the subscriber tries to send a frame like the frame FR1 in <figref idref="f0004">figure 4</figref> as a message and uses an invalid IP address IPX in the IP header IPH, this is revealed at the check in the table TAB1. According to the alternative N02 the frame FR1 is then discarded in block 507, task (5). It was mentioned above that one problem is how to prevent the subscribers, 6 and 6A, to make a great number of such attempts, to illegitimately use IP addresses. This problem is solved by including a counter in the task (5) in the IP filter 9. In <figref idref="f0004">figure 7</figref> a block schematic over such a counter C1 is shown. The counter has fields 71, 72, 73 in which are written the respective subscriber ports P1, P2 and P3 and corresponding number n of false attempts, i.e. attempts with invalid IP addresses. It also has a comparison element 79 in which is written a number N of allowed false attempts. In the example the subscriber 6 on port P1 has made one false attempt. When the frame with the invalid address is discarded, a message F1 is sent to the counter C1, field 71 for the port P1. In this field is set n=1, which is compared to N=10, resulting in no action. The subscriber 6A on the port P2 has made n=11 false attempts. As this number exceeds the allowed number N=10 a warning message W1 is generated.

0044In <figref idref="f0005">figure 8</figref> is shown a flow chart for an alternative embodiment of the procedures in the switch 5. In a block 801 the switch receives an incoming frame and this task is, as above, denoted by (1) in the block. In a block 802 a task (7b) is performed, including checking whether the frame is a DHCP frame. If it isn't according to an alternative NO6, the task (4) is performed in a block 803. This task includes the check whether the frame source information is valid and is performed with the aid of the table TAB1 in the filter 9. If the frame source information is invalid, according to an alternative NO7, the frame is discarded in a block 804 performing the task (5). If instead the frame source information is valid, according to an alternative YES7, the frame is accepted by the task (6) performed in a block 805. If it is found in the block 802 that the incoming frame is a DHCP frame, alternative YES6, the task (7b) includes the check from which type of port the frame comes. In an alternative 806 the DHCP frame comes on one of the subscriber ports P1, P2, P3 and is then accepted in the block 805. In an alternative 807 the DHCP frame instead comes on the uplink port PN. It is then checked in a block 808 by the task (8), the list L1, whether the DHCP frame originates from a valid DHCP server. In an alternative N08 the server is not valid and the frame is discarded in a block 809, performing the task (5). In an alternative YES8 the server is found to be valid and a check is performed by the task (9) in a block 810. The check includes the question whether the frame is a DHCP acknowledge message. If it isn't according to an alternative NO9, the frame is accepted in a block 811, performing the task (6). In an opposite alternative YES9 the frame is a DHCP acknowledge frame and is then handled in a block 812, performing the task (10). This task includes that the layer 3 IP address and the lease time interval are added in the database 7. Then the information about the layer 2 suorce MAC address, the layer 3 IP address, the port identification, the lease time interval and the virtual LAN identification for the subscriber are inserted in the table TAB1. The frame is then accepted, task (6) in the block 811.

0045The process when the subsciber 6 gets an IP address will be described very briefly in connection with <figref idref="f0005">figure 8</figref>. In the discovery phase the discovery message M1 is received in block 801 and is found to be a DHCP message in block 802. Acording to the alternative 806 it is found to come from the subscriber and the message M1 is accepted in block 805. The DHCP offer message M2 from the DHCP servers is received in block 801, found to be a DHCP message in block 802 and found to be a response message according to the alternative 807. The DHCP server is a valid one according to block 808, the message M2 is no acknowledge message, block 810 and is accepted in block 811 and forwarded to the subscriber 6. The latter selects the address IP1 and requests it by the message M3, which is received in block 801. In block 802 it is noted as a DHCP message which comes from the subscriber, alternative 806, and is accepted in block 805. The server gets the message M3 and returnes the acknowledge message M4. In block 801 the message M4 is received, is found to be a DHCP message in block 802 and to be a response message, alternative 807. The message source is valid, block 808, and the messge M4 is found to be an acknowledge message, block 810 alternative YES9. In block 812 the address IP1 and its lease time interval T1 are added in the database 7 and the table TAB1 in the IP filter 9 is filled in. The message M4 is accepted, block 811, and the subscriber 6 gets the address and its lease time interval T1. The subscriber 6 has a valid IP address.

0046When the subscriber 6 sends the message M5 to the service provider 3, the message is received in block 801 and is found not to be a DHCP message, block 802 alternative NO6. The frame source information is then checked in block 803 with the aid of the table TAB1 in the filter 9. If valid, alternative YES7, the message M5 is accepted and is sent to the addressee.