Professional paper

https://doi.org/10.19279/TVZ.PD.2025-13-3-15

SIMULATION OF SECURITY THREATS IN IPV6 NETWORKS: RA AND NS FLOODING ATTACKS

Miran Dorčec ; Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, Vrbik 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia, Student
Dunja Bjelobrk Knežević ; Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, Vrbik 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia *
Nikolina Kasunić orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-2162 ; Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, Vrbik 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia *
Ognjen Staničić ; Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, Vrbik 8, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Although IPv6 offers numerous advantages over IPv4, including an expanded address space and improved automated configuration mechanisms, it also introduces new security challenges. This paper analyses security risks associated with two common attacks on IPv6 networks - Router Advertisement and Neighbor Solicitation flooding attacks. The RA flooding attack is based on sending a large number of forged RA messages, potentially resulting in incorrect configuration of the victim’s network interfaces. The NS flooding attack overloads the network by generating a high volume of Neighbor Solicitation requests, placing excessive load on the memory and processor of the victim’s system. The objective of this study was to demonstrate such attacks in a controlled laboratory environment, assess their impact on the victim, and highlight the weaknesses in the IPv6 security along with the importance of implementing effective protective measures. Testing environment was based on virtual machines and utilized tools such as Scapy for packet generation, as well as Wireshark for network traffic analysis. The results indicate that these attacks are easily executable and can have a significant impact on IPv6 networks, underscoring the need for appropriate security measures and mitigation techniques.

Keywords

IPv6; NDP vulnerabilities; Security attacks; SLAAC vulnerabilities

Hrčak ID:

346582

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/346582

Publication date:

29.1.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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