There are times when people need to block fragmented IP packets. This because when fragmented IP packets are enabled, it can result in signal issues and connectivity loss. This is the prime reason that people block fragmented IP packets when they have to play games or use the media consoles. So, let’s see how the fragmented IP packets can be blocked.
IP Fragmentation
Over the course of time, IP fragmentation attacks are pretty common. These attacks often exploit the fragmentation processes. IP fragmentation is actually the communication process where the IP datagrams are reduced to smaller packets. These packets are transmitted across the network connection and are assembled again.
That being said, fragmentation is an essential part of data transmission, and these networks have a unique limit for datagram size that can be processed. This limit is often termed MTU. In case the datagram has a size larger than the MTU of the service, it must be fragmented for seamless transmission.
Types Of Attacks
When it comes down to IP fragmentation attacks, there are various forms available. To begin with, the ICMP and UDP fragmentation attacks comprise fraud packet transmission (ICMP or UDP packets). This happens when the packets are larger than the MTU of the network. As the packets are fraudulent, the resources of the target service will be consumed.
Secondly, there are TCP fragmentation attacks which are also known as Teardrop. The data packets tend to overlap and will intimidate the server, and the server will fail. There are patches for stopping the attacks.
Block Fragmented IP Packets
For everyone who needs to block the fragmented IP packets, we have outlined the details in this section. However, before you block the fragmented IP packets, they need to understand the IP protection. With this being, the users need to configure the screen in the first place. The screen configuration is only available for IPv4.
Once you’ve configured the screen, you need to configure the security zone and the device. Then, once the device configuration is complete, the users need to commit the configuration. Last but not least, when the configuration is complete, the fragmented IP packets will be blocked.
Checking The Network Issues Due To Fragmented IP Packets
When it comes down to the fragmented IP packets, there will be network and connectivity performance issues. However, it can also be outlined if the host can ping each other, and port or service might be accessible through telnet. In addition, if there are application issues, page loading issues, and hanging host, there are chances of the fragmented IP packets causing the network issues.
In case there are any such issues, you can say that there are fragmented IP packets. On the other hand, if you aren’t sure, you can use the network analyzer as it can inspect the network path.
Avoiding The Fragmented IP Packets
For people who need to avoid the fragmented IP packets, the users need to check the size of the IP packets for sending the network. For this purpose, there is MSS and path MTU discovery. First of all, the path MTU discovery helps outline the MTU end-to-end because it prevents the fragmentation of the packets. In addition, it sends the ISMP packets to the optimal destination.
Secondly, setting the MSS, which is known as maximum segment size, will ensure that the inbound packets are inspecting. The users need to set the MTU value that doesn’t demand fragmentation. The MSS settings must be less than the MTU for ensuring IP packet fragmentation is avoided. However, don’t make it too small because it can lead to performance issues.
Getting Rid Of Fragmentation of IP Attacks
One might think that the fragmentation of IP attacks will lead to performance and network connectivity issues. However, it can also lead to security issues. This is because the IP packet fragmentation attacks are a form of DDoS attacks. The fragmentation of IP attacks can be exploited in terms of the ICMP and UDP fragmentation attacks.
On the other hand, the TCP attacks are there as well, which can exploit the fragmentation. These fragmentation attacks can lead to IP and TCP issues. However, the data packets can be inspected to check if there is a fragmentation of IP attacks.