Fault-oriented software robustness assessment for multicast protocols

Abstract

This paper reports a systematic approach for detecting software defects in multicast protocol implementations. We deploy a fault-oriented methodology and an integrated test system targeting software robustness vulnerabilities. The primary method is to assess protocol implementation by non-traditional interface fault injection that simulates network attacks. The test system includes a novel packet driving engine, a PDU generator based on Strengthened BNF notation and a few auxiliary tools. We apply it to two multicast protocols, IGMP and PIM-DM, and investigate their behaviors under active functional attacks. Our study proves its effectiveness for promoting production of more reliable multicast software.