Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which attack aims to exhaust the DHCP server’s pool by sending numerous requests?

1. DHCP Spoofing

2. DHCP Starvation

3. IP Spoofing

4. ARP Cache Poisoning

The correct answer is: DHCP Starvation

The attack that aims to exhaust the DHCP server's pool by sending numerous requests is known as DHCP Starvation. In this type of attack, the perpetrator sends an overwhelming number of DHCP discovery messages to the DHCP server, which in turn allocates IP addresses for each request it receives. By doing this, the attacker depletes the available IP addresses in the DHCP pool, preventing legitimate users from obtaining an IP address and consequently gaining access to the network. DHCP Starvation specifically targets the DHCP mechanism, taking advantage of the way it dynamically assigns IP addresses. Once the pool is exhausted, legitimate users become unable to connect to the network as there are no IP addresses left to assign. This can lead to service disruptions and, depending on the attacker's goals, could facilitate further attacks, such as a man-in-the-middle attack once the attacker sets up their own DHCP server. Understanding this type of attack is crucial for those in cybersecurity, as it highlights vulnerabilities in DHCP configurations and the importance of implementing security measures, such as DHCP snooping, to mitigate such risks.