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Defense Against ICMPv6 Attacks

Attack Behavior

When the network is running properly, switches can properly receive Internet Control Message Protocol version 6 (ICMPv6) packets. If hosts or ports are frequently unreachable when traffic on the network is heavy, switches receive a large number of ICMPv6 packets, increasing the network traffic load and degrading switch performance. In addition, attackers often use ICMPv6 error packets to probe into the internal network topology.

Security Policy

To improve network performance and security, disable switches from receiving ICMPv6 Echo Reply, Host Unreachable, and Port Unreachable packets.

Configuration Method

Disable switches from receiving ICMPv6 Echo Reply, Host Unreachable, and Port Unreachable packets.

<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] undo ipv6 icmp echo-reply receive 
[HUAWEI] undo ipv6 icmp port-unreachable receive 
[HUAWEI] undo ipv6 icmp host-unreachable receive 

When the network is in good condition and switches need to process ICMPv6 packets, enable them to receive ICMPv6 packets.

<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] ipv6 icmp all receive
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
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