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OSI LAYER 2 // Data Link Layer

MAC Flooding

MAC flooding attempts to overflow a switch’s MAC address table so forwarding behavior becomes less selective.

01 // HOW IT WORKS

Mechanism

When a switch cannot associate destinations reliably, it may flood frames more broadly within the relevant segment.

02 // DETECTION

Indicators to watch

Rapid growth in learned MAC addresses, table exhaustion alerts, unusual source-MAC churn, and increased unknown-unicast traffic.

03 // ATTACK FLOW

Concept diagram

01Switch port↓
02Many source MACs↓
03CAM table pressure↓
04Unknown-unicast flooding↓
05Port security
04 // PREVENTION

Defensive controls

Enable port security, limit learned MAC addresses, segment networks, use storm controls, and monitor switch telemetry.

05 // SECURITY TOOL

Recommended security control

Switch port-security monitoring

Use a virtual switch or isolated lab.

06 // DEFENCE PRACTICE LAB

Defence practice lab

The administrator has not attached a tool link yet. This slot will show “Build Soon” until an external link is configured.

Build Soon
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DEFENCE PRACTICE LAB // BUILD SOONThe administrator can add or edit an external defence practice lab link from the private admin portal.
07 // DEFENCE TECHNIQUES

Defence techniques

Defence techniques for this attack will be added by the administrator.

AUTHORIZED LEARNING

All attack descriptions are for defensive education. Test scanning, traffic generation, interception, wireless testing, and vulnerable applications only on systems and networks you own or are explicitly authorized to assess.