Which Unix/Linux tool that is part of the dsniff collection floods the local network with random MAC and IP addresses to facilitate sniffing?

Which Unix/Linux tool that is part of the dsniff collection floods the local network with random MAC and IP addresses to facilitate sniffing?

• A. macof
• B. CAM table
• C. switch port stealing
• D. Port security

Answer: (A)

On switched networks, the switch keeps a CAM (Content Addressable Memory) table that maps MAC addresses to specific ports. If that table becomes full or cannot map a MAC, the switch has to broadcast frames to all ports, which makes it possible to sniff traffic from multiple devices on one port. The tool in question automates this flooding by generating a flood of frames with random source MAC addresses (and often random destinations). By overwhelming the CAM table with bogus entries, the switch shifts into a mode where traffic is broadcast to all ports, allowing a listener on one port to capture traffic not intended for it. This technique is used in security testing to assess switching resilience and the risk of sniffing on a switched network. The other options describe concepts or features rather than a tool that performs the MAC-flooding action: the CAM table is the switch’s address table, switch port stealing is not a standard tool, and Port security is a feature that restricts which MACs can use a port.

On switched networks, the switch keeps a CAM (Content Addressable Memory) table that maps MAC addresses to specific ports. If that table becomes full or cannot map a MAC, the switch has to broadcast frames to all ports, which makes it possible to sniff traffic from multiple devices on one port. The tool in question automates this flooding by generating a flood of frames with random source MAC addresses (and often random destinations). By overwhelming the CAM table with bogus entries, the switch shifts into a mode where traffic is broadcast to all ports, allowing a listener on one port to capture traffic not intended for it. This technique is used in security testing to assess switching resilience and the risk of sniffing on a switched network. The other options describe concepts or features rather than a tool that performs the MAC-flooding action: the CAM table is the switch’s address table, switch port stealing is not a standard tool, and Port security is a feature that restricts which MACs can use a port.