Secure and DoS-Resistant Network Reprogramming in Sensor Networks Based on CPK

Existing secure network reprogramming protocols for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) target the efficient authentication of code packets, but none of them provide the verification of control packets which are vulnerable to Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. In this paper, we propose the secure and DoS-resistant network reprogramming scheme based on CPK (Combined Public Key) that can verify control packets so that external attackers can not exploit the Deluge epidemic and suppression mechanisms to launch DoS attacks. Simulation shows that the proposed scheme adds only a modest amount of overhead to existing secure network reprogramming schemes, and is therefore feasible and practical in WSNs.