Evaluation of steganographic methods for oversized IP packets

Abstract

This paper describes new network steganography methods that utilize mechanisms for handling oversized IP packets: IP fragmentation, PMTUD (Path MTU Discovery) and PLPMTUD (Packetization Layer Path MTU Discovery). In particular, for these mechanisms we propose two new steganographic methods and three extensions of existing ones. We present how mentioned mechanisms can be used to enable hidden communication for both versions of IP protocol: 4 and 6 and how they can be detected. Results for experimental evaluation of IP fragmentation steganographic methods are also enclosed in this paper. © The Author(s) 2010.