An Improved Monte Carlo Graph Search Algorithm for Optimal Attack Path Analysis

Hui Xie, Kun Lv, Changzhen Hu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The problem of optimal attack path analysis is one of the hotspots in network security. Many methods are available to calculate an optimal attack path, such as Q-learning algorithm, heuristic algorithms, etc. But most of them have shortcomings. Some methods can lead to the problem of path loss, and some methods render the result un-comprehensive. This article proposes an improved Monte Carlo Graph Search algorithm (IMCGS) to calculate optimal attack paths in target network. IMCGS can avoid the problem of path loss and get comprehensive results quickly. IMCGS is divided into two steps: selection and backpropagation, which is used to calculate optimal attack paths. A weight vector containing priority, host connection number, CVSS value is proposed for every host in an attack path. This vector is used to calculate the evaluation value, the total CVSS value and the average CVSS value of a path in the target network. Result for a sample test network is presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed algorithm to generate optimal attack paths in one single run. The results obtained by IMCGS show good performance and are compared with Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm (ACO) and k-zero attack graph.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 17th IEEE International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communications and 12th IEEE International Conference on Big Data Science and Engineering, Trustcom/BigDataSE 2018
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages307-315
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9781538643877
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Sept 2018
Event17th IEEE International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communications and 12th IEEE International Conference on Big Data Science and Engineering, Trustcom/BigDataSE 2018 - New York, United States
Duration: 31 Jul 20183 Aug 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings - 17th IEEE International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communications and 12th IEEE International Conference on Big Data Science and Engineering, Trustcom/BigDataSE 2018

Conference

Conference17th IEEE International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing and Communications and 12th IEEE International Conference on Big Data Science and Engineering, Trustcom/BigDataSE 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew York
Period31/07/183/08/18

Keywords

  • Attack graph
  • Dynamic programming
  • Improved Monte Carlo Graph Search
  • Network security
  • Optimal attack path

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