Based on comments received from Paul and others I have updated the threat
analysis text. Please review and comment.
-Raj
Rev 2 (2/2/12)
Threat model for the PAWS protocol
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Assumptions:
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o It is assumed that an attacker has full access to the network medium
between the master device and the white space database. The attacker
may be able to eavesdrop on any communications between these
entities. The link between the master device and the white space
database can be wired or wireless and provides IP connectivity.
o It is assumed that the master device or the white space database
have NOT been compromised from a security standpoint.
Threat 1: User modifies a device to masquerade as another valid
certified device
The master device needs to authenticate itself with the white
space database prior to requesting channel information. The
attacker may try to get access to the secrets of the master
device which can be used maliciously. The effect of such an
attack being successful would result in a malicious client
replaying the stolen authentication/authorization secrets to a
white space database.
Threat 2: Spoofed white space database
A master device discovers a white space database(s) thru which
it can query for channel information. The master device needs
to ensure that the white space database with which it
communicates with is an authentic entity. The white space
database needs to provide its identity to the master device
which can confirm the validity/authenticty of the database. An
attacker may attempt to spoof a white space database and
provide responses to a master device which are malicious and
result in the master device causing interference to the primary
user of the spectrum.
Threat 3: Modifying a query request
An attacker may modify the query request sent by a master
device to a white space database. The attacker may change the
location of the device or the capabilities in terms of its
transmit power or antenna height etc. which could result in the
database responding with incorrect information about available
channels or max transmit power allowed. The result of such an
attack is that the master device would cause intereference to
the primary user of the spectrum. It could also result in a
denial of service to the master device by indicating that no
channels are available.
Threat 4: Modifying a query response
An attacker could modify the query response sent by the white
space database to a master device. The channel information or
transmit power allowed type of parameters carried in the
response could be modified by the attacker resulting in the
master device using channels that are not available at a
location or transmitting at a greater power level than allowed
resulting in interference to the primary user of that
spectrum. Alternatively the attacker may indicate no channel
availability at a location resulting in a denial of service to
the master device.
Threat 5: Unauthorized use of channels by an uncertified device
An attacker may be a master device which is not certified for
use by the relevant regulatory body. The attacker may listen to
the communication between a valid master device and white space
database and utilize the information about available channels
in the response message by utilizing those channels. The result
of such an attack is unauthorized use of channels by a master
device which is not certified to operate.
The master device querying the white space database may be
operated by a law-enforcement agency and the communications
between the device and the database are intended to be kept
private. A malicious device should not be able to eavesdrop on
such communications.
Threat 6: Third party tracking of white space device location
A master device needs to provide its location to the white
space database in order to obtain the channel availability
information at that location. Such location information can be
gleaned by an eavesdropper. A master device may prefer to keep
the location information secret. Hence the protocol should
provide a means to protect the location information and prevent
tracking of locations associated with a white space database.
Threat 7: Database owner termination of device service for reasons
other than incumbent protection
A white space database may include a mechanism by which service
and channels allocated to a master device can be revoked. A
malicious node can send a revoke messages to a master
device. This results in denial of service to the master
device.
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