WiFi Fragmentation and Power Save Mode: A Comprehensive Formal Verification

In this article, the authors propose a new approach to verifying the security of WiFi fragmentation and power save mode (PSM) using segment-based formal verification. The authors explain that to construct a model of these components, it is crucial to examine the official WiFi protocol specification documentation and build formal specifications for each entity in the model. This involves creating functional and security segments, which are then integrated into a comprehensive model.
The authors highlight that the security encapsulation method plays a critical role in ensuring the security of the communication process. They explain that when sending a message, it must be encrypted, authenticated, and an integrity code must be added to prevent tampering. This process is called security encapsulation, which is the key insight for proposing a segment-based design.
The authors then delve into the details of how the model works, explaining that initially connected fragmentation processing, reception completed, time exceed, and more frag are different stages in the communication process. They also explain that functional component security encapsulation involves encrypting, authenticating, and adding an integrity code to ensure the message’s security.
The authors conclude by stating that their proposed segment-based formal verification approach offers a robust and efficient method for ensuring the security of WiFi fragmentation and PSM. They emphasize that this approach can help identify potential security vulnerabilities before they become problems in real-world scenarios, thus enhancing the overall security of wireless networks.