Security analysis of the MPOA protocol

Abstract

We discuss the security issues associated with the multiprotocol over ATM (MPOA) standard. The MPOA standard defines a protocol for sending Internet Protocol (IP) traffic over ATM networks in a way to efficiently utilize the fast switching capabilities of ATM networks, bypassing software based routers which are traditionally slow in performance. However the first version of this standard has not addressed any security issues. In any network of today, security related problems are a big concern for maintaining both application level and network level integrity. This paper addresses the security issues related to the current version of the MPOA standard. Security loopholes in this model are analyzed and possible solutions are proposed.