What occurs during IP address spoofing?

IP address spoofing occurs when an attacker manipulates the source IP address in the header of a packet to impersonate a legitimate entity on a network. By doing so, the attacker can gain unauthorized access to systems or networks while masquerading as a trusted device or user. This deception can facilitate various types of attacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks or denial of service attacks, as it makes it difficult for security measures to identify the true origin of the traffic.

In this scenario, the attacker leverages the credibility of the spoofed IP address, which often belongs to a valid device, to exploit trust relationships within the network. This allows them to bypass security controls, as the system receiving the packet may believe it is communicating with an authorized source, thereby granting access or performing actions that would typically be restricted. Consequently, understanding this tactic is crucial for designing effective security measures that recognize and mitigate against such vulnerabilities in network communications.