In a source routing attack, what role does the attacker play?

In a source routing attack, the attacker uses forged packets to manipulate the path that data takes through a network. This technique involves crafting packets that contain source routing information, which indicates the route the packet should take to reach its destination. By controlling the route, the attacker can bypass security measures, intercept sensitive information, or redirect traffic to their own device. This method relies on the ability to spoof the source address and dictate packet paths, making forged packets a crucial element of the attack.

In contrast, protecting data from unauthorized access, encrypting data during transmission, or simply monitoring network traffic do not accurately describe the role of an attacker in this context. These activities relate more to defensive cybersecurity practices rather than the offensive strategy employed in a source routing attack.