Disassociation

A Disassociation attack is a type of wireless network attack that targets the disassociation process between a client device and an access point (AP). The attack exploits vulnerabilities in the IEEE 802.11 standard to forcibly disconnect a client device from the targeted Wi-Fi network. By sending forged disassociation frames, an attacker can disrupt network connectivity and deny service to legitimate users.

The Disassociation attack typically involves the following steps:

1. Target Selection: The attacker selects a specific client device or multiple client devices to be disconnected from the Wi-Fi network. This could be based on specific targets or indiscriminate targeting of all connected clients.
2. Forged Disassociation Frames: The attacker sends forged disassociation frames to the targeted client devices. These frames mimic legitimate disassociation frames sent by the AP to disconnect a client device.
3. Disruption of Network Connectivity: When the client device receives the forged disassociation frames, it interprets them as a request from the AP to disconnect. As a result, the client device disconnects from the Wi-Fi network, disrupting network connectivity for the user.

To protect against Disassociation attacks, the following preventive measures can be implemented:

• Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems: Deploy wireless intrusion detection and prevention systems (WIDS/WIPS) to monitor and detect suspicious wireless activities. These systems can identify abnormal disassociation frames and help mitigate the impact of such attacks.
• Wireless Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to isolate critical resources from wireless networks. By separating Wi-Fi networks from sensitive internal networks, the impact of a Disassociation attack can be limited.
• Encryption and Authentication: Implement strong encryption protocols, such as WPA2 or WPA3, to secure Wi-Fi communications. Additionally, enforce strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the Wi-Fi network.
• Wireless Network Monitoring: Regularly monitor Wi-Fi networks for any abnormal disconnections or unusual client behavior. Detecting and investigating any suspicious activities can help identify Disassociation attacks.