Secure ICMPv6

Secure ICMPv6, also known as Secure ICMP for IPv6, is an extension to Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 (ICMPv6) that provides additional security to ICMPv6 messages over IPv6.

Its main objective is to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of ICMPv6 messages, avoiding spoofing attacks and ensuring that messages come from legitimate sources and have not been modified in transit.

Below are some key features and mechanisms of Secure ICMPv6:

1. ICMPv6 message authentication

Secure ICMPv6 uses authentication techniques to verify the identity of the source of ICMPv6 messages. It relies on the use of digital signatures and public key cryptography to authenticate ICMPv6 messages and ensure that they come from trusted sources.

2. ICMPv6 message integrity

Secure ICMPv6 guarantees the integrity of ICMPv6 messages by using digital signatures. Each ICMPv6 message is digitally signed with a private key to generate a digital signature, and this signature is attached to the message. Upon receiving the message, the receiver can verify the integrity of the message by using the corresponding public key and checking the validity of the digital signature.

3. Public key cryptography

Secure ICMPv6 relies on public key infrastructure (PKI) to manage the public and private keys required for authentication and digital signing. Each participating entity has its own public-private key pair, where the private key is used to sign messages and the public key is used to verify signatures.

4. Digital signature verification

Upon receiving an ICMPv6 message, the receiver verifies the attached digital signature using the corresponding public key. If the signature is valid, this indicates that the ICMPv6 message has not been modified in transit and is coming from the expected source.

Secure ICMPv6 provides an additional layer of security to ICMPv6 messages over IPv6, ensuring that messages are authentic and have not been modified. This helps prevent spoofing attacks and ensures that ICMPv6 messages are trusted and come from legitimate sources.

It is important to note that Secure ICMPv6 implementation and support may vary between systems and network devices. Not all devices or operating systems natively support Secure ICMPv6, and it may require additional configurations and settings to enable and use this security extension.

BGPsec (Border Gateway Protocol Security Extensions)

BGPsec (Border Gateway Protocol Security Extensions) is an extension of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routing protocol that provides additional security to routes advertised on the Internet. Its main objective is to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of BGP routes, preventing malicious routing attacks and improving security in the Internet infrastructure.

Below are some fundamental elements of BGPsec:

1. Digital route signature

BGPsec uses digital signatures to authenticate and validate BGP routes. Each BGP route advertisement is digitally signed using public key cryptography. This allows BGP routers to verify the authenticity of routes and ensure that they come from trusted sources.

2. Chain of trust

BGPsec establishes a chain of trust to validate BGP routes. Each route digital signature is verified using the issuer's public key, and this public key is in turn authenticated using a chain of trusted certificates and public keys. In this way, a chain of trust is created that allows BGP routers to validate the authenticity of the routes.

3. Protocol updates

BGPsec introduces new updates and extensions to the BGP protocol to support route signing and verification. This involves changes to the way BGP routers exchange information and process route advertisements, to include information necessary for authentication and integrity.

4. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

BGPsec requires a public key infrastructure (PKI) to manage and distribute the public keys and certificates required for signing and verifying routes. PKI is used to generate and distribute public and private keys, as well as to establish trust in the public keys of route issuers.

5. Mitigation of malicious routing attacks

BGPsec improves security in Internet infrastructure by mitigating malicious routing attacks such as route poisoning and spoofing. By ensuring the authenticity of BGP routes, BGPsec helps prevent attackers from manipulating routing and diverting traffic to malicious destinations.

It is relevant to keep in mind that BGPsec requires the adoption and cooperation of network operators and Internet service providers to be effective globally. All routers along the path must support BGPsec and be properly configured to use this security extension.