Security and Privacy Issues in Wireless Mesh Networks: A Survey (1302.0939v1)

Abstract: This book chapter identifies various security threats in wireless mesh network (WMN). Keeping in mind the critical requirement of security and user privacy in WMNs, this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of various possible attacks on different layers of the communication protocol stack for WMNs and their corresponding defense mechanisms. First, it identifies the security vulnerabilities in the physical, link, network, transport, application layers. Furthermore, various possible attacks on the key management protocols, user authentication and access control protocols, and user privacy preservation protocols are presented. After enumerating various possible attacks, the chapter provides a detailed discussion on various existing security mechanisms and protocols to defend against and wherever possible prevent the possible attacks. Comparative analyses are also presented on the security schemes with regards to the cryptographic schemes used, key management strategies deployed, use of any trusted third party, computation and communication overhead involved etc. The chapter then presents a brief discussion on various trust management approaches for WMNs since trust and reputation-based schemes are increasingly becoming popular for enforcing security in wireless networks. A number of open problems in security and privacy issues for WMNs are subsequently discussed before the chapter is finally concluded.

• The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of multi-layer security threats, detailing jamming, routing attacks, and authentication weaknesses in WMNs.
• It evaluates defense mechanisms including protocol-based safeguards and trust models to mitigate identified vulnerabilities.
• The paper outlines future research directions in lightweight authentication and cross-layer approaches to enhance WMN security and efficiency.

Overview of Security and Privacy Issues in Wireless Mesh Networks

The paper "Security and Privacy Issues in Wireless Mesh Networks: A Survey" by Jaydip Sen provides comprehensive coverage of the security challenges intrinsic to Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs). Given their multi-hop structure and broadcast nature, WMNs are susceptible to a wide array of security threats that can disrupt network performance and compromise user privacy. This survey delineates these threats, analyzes existing defense mechanisms, and discusses future research directions to secure WMNs while maintaining user privacy.

Key Findings

WMNs have emerged as a promising technology for next-generation wireless communication systems. They offer flexible architectures and cost-effective solutions for various applications, including cellular network backhaul, community networking, and intelligent transportation systems. Despite these advantages, the inherent characteristics of WMNs, such as reliance on intermediate nodes for multi-hop communication, introduce multiple security vulnerabilities.

1. Security Threats:
   • Layer-specific Attacks: The paper identifies potential attacks across different layers of the WMN protocol stack, including physical, link, network, transport, and application layers. For example, jamming and interference are prevalent at the physical layer, while routing attacks like wormhole and blackhole attacks pose threats at the network layer.
   • Authentication and Key Management Vulnerabilities: Attacks exploiting weaknesses in key distribution and user authentication are critical. Internal attackers wield significant power due to their privileged network access, complicating detection and prevention efforts.
   • Privacy Concerns: Privacy attacks may exploit traffic analysis capabilities provided by mesh routers, potentially compromising user data confidentiality.
2. Defense Mechanisms:
   • Layer-specific Security Mechanisms: Numerous existing protocols for securing different layers are analyzed. For instance, protocols like ARAN and SAODV secure routing in the network layer by introducing authentication and non-repudiation guarantees.
   • Trust and Reputation Models: Trust-based frameworks are noted for their ability to provide security assurances beyond cryptographic techniques, particularly in high-throughput multicast scenarios.
3. Open Problems and Future Directions:
   • Lightweight and Robust Authentication Protocols: There's a call for scalable authentication mechanisms to handle the dynamic and resource-constrained nature of WMNs.
   • Cross-layer Security Approaches: Integrating security services across protocol layers could enhance overall system security, particularly in high-threat environments.

Implications and Future Work

The paper highlights that while significant progress has been made in securing WMNs, challenges remain, particularly concerning authentications, such as reducing latency and overhead in environments with high mobility. Further research is advocated towards developing sophisticated security architectures capable of mitigating potential threats through comprehensive, cross-layer frameworks that prioritize both security and application performance.

From a theoretical perspective, the use of advanced cryptographic mechanisms, such as homomorphic encryption for privacy-preserving traffic analysis, and signature aggregation for scalable key management, represent promising research avenues. Additionally, enhancing the trust and reputation systems could provide better node behavior analysis, essential for distinguishing between compromised nodes and authentic users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this paper underscores the need for continued research into innovative security protocols tailored for WMNs. These networks' susceptibility to varied and complex threats necessitates a holistic approach to security that combines cryptographic protocols, trust management, and practical deployment strategies, fostering a secure and reliable communication infrastructure that meets the demands of contemporary wireless applications.