Single Packet Authorization
Port knocking has shown us how to maximize the use of a packet filter to enforce a default-drop stance against all attempts to communicate with a protected service.[74] However, as shown earlier in this chapter, port knocking is not a panacea, and it has significant architectural limitations. In this section, we'll explore an alternative to port knocking that retains its benefits while avoiding its shortcomings.
Single Packet Authorization (SPA) combines a default-drop packet filter with a passively monitoring packet sniffer in a manner similar to port-knocking implementations. However, instead of transferring authentication data within packet header fields, SPA leverages payload data to prove possession of authentication ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access