Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What is the term for the technique where an attacker predicts sequence numbers to hijack communication?

1. Session fixation

2. Blind hijacking

3. Man-in-the-middle attack

4. Session replay attack

The correct answer is: Blind hijacking

The technique where an attacker predicts sequence numbers to hijack communication is known as blind hijacking. This concept is rooted in the way certain network protocols manage session states and ensure the integrity of communication through sequence numbers. In a blind hijacking scenario, the attacker takes advantage of predictable sequence numbers in a TCP connection. By analyzing the traffic and being able to predict the next sequence number, the attacker can forge packets that the target system will accept as legitimate. This allows them to take over an existing session without needing to have any prior knowledge of the session's state or content, which is typical of blind hijacking. Understanding this process is crucial for ethical hacking and security practices, as it emphasizes the importance of using unpredictable and non-guessable session parameters to protect against such attacks. Techniques that mitigate the risk of blind hijacking include proper sequence number randomization and the implementation of cryptographic measures that secure the session from unauthorized access.