How do you identify TCP fragmentation events using TCP header and flags?
TCP fragmentation is a process that splits large packets of data into smaller segments to fit the maximum transmission unit (MTU) of a network. While this is a normal and necessary function of the TCP protocol, it can also be used by attackers to evade detection by network security devices. By manipulating the TCP header and flags, they can hide malicious payloads or commands in fragmented packets that appear benign or incomplete. In this article, you will learn how to identify TCP fragmentation events using TCP header and flags analysis.
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Inspect the MF flag:Use tools like Wireshark to analyze the IP header. Look for segments with the more fragments (MF) flag set to 1, signaling they are part of a fragmented packet.### *Check for unusual flags:Scrutinize packets for inconsistent flags such as SYN+FIN or SYN+RST. These combinations can indicate attempts to evade detection by network security devices.