Accession Number:

AD1076294

Title:

A Framework for Cyber Vulnerability Assessments of InfiniBand Networks

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB United States

Personal Author(s):

• Schmitt,Daryl W

Report Date:

2019-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

111.0

Abstract:

InfiniBand is a popular InputOutput interconnect technology used in High Performance Computing clusters. It is employed in over a quarter of the worlds 500 fastest computer systems. Although it was created to provide extremely low network latency with a high Quality of Service, the cybersecurity aspects of InfiniBand have yet to be thoroughly investigated. The InfiniBand Architecture was designed as a data center technology, logically separated from the Internet, so defensive mechanisms such as packet encryption were not implemented. Cyber communities do not appear to have taken an interest in InfiniBand, but that is likely to change as attackers branch out from traditional computing devices. This thesis considers the security implications of InfiniBand features and constructs a framework for conducting Cyber Vulnerability Assessments. Several attack primitives are tested and analyzed. Finally, new cyber tools and security devices for InfiniBand are proposed, and changes to existing products are recommended.

Descriptors:

• computer networks
• cybersecurity
• computer network security
• High Performance Computing
• threats

Subject Categories:

• Computer Systems Management and Standards

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE