ARP Spoofing Using ARPspoof

Introduction to ARP Spoofing

ARP Spoofing, also known as ARP poisoning, is a type of attack where an attacker sends falsified ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) messages over a local area network. This results in the linking of an attacker's MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate computer or server on the network. Once this link is established, the attacker can intercept, modify, or even stop data transmissions between the victim and the default gateway.

Understanding ARP

The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a protocol used to discover the MAC address of a device from its IP address. While ARP is an essential part of IP networking, it can be exploited by attackers to redirect traffic on a local network, leading to potential Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks.

Setting Up arpspoof

Before diving into the attack, ensure that arpspoof is set up correctly:

  1. On Kali Linux, arpspoof is part of the dsniff package. You can install it using the following command:
  2. sudo apt-get install dsniff

Executing ARP Spoofing with arpspoof

Using arpspoof, you can initiate an ARP Spoofing attack with the following steps:

  1. Open your terminal in Kali Linux.
  2. Identify the target's IP address and the gateway IP address.
  3. Use the following command to start the attack:
  4. arpspoof -i [interface] -t [target_IP] [gateway_IP]
  5. Similarly, spoof the gateway to intercept packets meant for the target:
  6. arpspoof -i [interface] -t [gateway_IP] [target_IP]

Example of ARP Spoofing with arpspoof

Here's a basic example of how to use arpspoof to target a device:

arpspoof -i eth0 -t 192.168.1.10 192.168.1.1
arpspoof -i eth0 -t 192.168.1.1 192.168.1.10

In this example, "eth0" is the network interface, "192.168.1.10" is the target device, and "192.168.1.1" is the gateway.

Defending Against ARP Spoofing

While understanding the attack is crucial, it's equally important to know how to defend against it:


Additional Resources

Arpspoof is a powerful tool for executing ARP Spoofing attacks on local networks. By understanding its mechanism and potential impact, security professionals can better defend against such threats. Always ensure you have the necessary permissions and adhere to ethical guidelines when conducting tests. ARP Spoofing without permission is illegal and unethical.

For a deeper understanding of ARP Spoofing and its implications, you can refer to these detailed articles: