SSL Renegotiation Attack
SSL renegotiation attack is a type of cyber attack that occurs in the context of computer security. It is a technique used by attackers to exploit vulnerabilities in the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol that is commonly used to protect sensitive data transmitted over the internet. SSL is a protocol that ensures secure communication between a client and a server.
The SSL renegotiation attack works by exploiting the SSL renegotiation process. This process allows two parties to change the SSL parameters of an already established SSL session. An attacker can use this feature to repeatedly renegotiate a session and overwhelm the server, causing it to crash.
This type of attack can allow an attacker to intercept sensitive data being transmitted, such as credit card numbers or login credentials, and gain access to confidential information. It can also cause websites and servers to become unavailable, leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack.
To prevent an SSL renegotiation attack, server administrators can disable SSL renegotiation or use cryptographic security measures, such as minimizing the number of renegotiations allowed or using more secure SSL/TLS protocols. Clients should also use updated and patched versions of SSL libraries to prevent attacks.