DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol used to dynamically assign IP addresses to devices on a network. It enables devices to request and receive IP addresses and other network configuration information, such as the default gateway and DNS server, automatically from a DHCP server.
DHCP is an essential part of most networks, as it allows devices to connect to the network and communicate with each other without requiring manual configuration of IP addresses. However, it is also a potential point of vulnerability for cyber attacks, as attackers can potentially exploit vulnerabilities in DHCP servers to gain access to a network or disrupt network communication.
For this reason, it is important for organizations to secure their DHCP servers and ensure that they are properly configured and maintained. This includes implementing security measures such as firewalls and access controls, and regularly updating the DHCP server software to address any known vulnerabilities.
As a penetration tester, you can leverage DHCP in several ways to test the security of a network. For example, you can use the following queries to launch a DHCP exhaustion attack, which floods the DHCP server with requests in an attempt to exhaust its pool of available IP addresses:
- dhcpig:
dhcpig -i [Interface] -t [Number of threads]- dhcpstarv:
dhcpstarv -i [Interface] -t [Number of