PrePrint: IPv6 - a Catalyst and an Evasion Tool for Botnets and Malware Distribution Networks

PrePrint: IPv6 - a Catalyst and an Evasion Tool for Botnets and Malware Distribution Networks: Large enterprises and service providers have been commercially deploying IPv6 since 2008, and have some experience with it. The need for IPv6 adoption is being accelerated by the explosion of 3G/4G capable devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Android-based mobile devices in the consumer market, followed by the rapid adoption of these devices in enterprise environments. However, the lack of adequate malware defenses for these new devices means that they are vulnerable to attacks, and compromised devices may become active elements of a botnet, or be used as a vector in advanced attacks on traditional networks. Our paper will enumerate the security concerns that call for concentrated research activities, articulate potential threats by describing attack scenarios, and offer possible solutions in terms of categorizing traffic, identifying threats, and then alleviating or remediating those threats. The goal of this paper is to cultivate an industry awareness of the very real threats brought about by the rapid growth of the mobile and networked consumer device markets, and to influence the future direction of security research in these areas.

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