Mangled packet

In computer networking, a mangled or invalid packet is a packet — especially IP packet — that either lacks order or self-coherence, or contains code aimed to confuse or disrupt computers, firewalls, routers, or any service present on the network.

Their usage is associated with a type of network attack called a denial-of-service (DoS) attack. They aim to destabilize the network and sometimes to reveal its available services – when network operators must restart the disabled ones.^[1] Mangled packets can be generated by dedicated software such as nmap.

As of 2008^[update], most invalid packets are easily filtered by modern stateful firewalls.

References

1. Javvin Www Networkdictionary Com (1 March 2007). Network Dictionary. Javvin Technologies Inc. p. 300. ISBN 978-1-60267-000-6. Retrieved 21 April 2011.