Ixia (Nasdaq: XXIA) announced that their Application and Threat Intelligence (ATI) team has delivered the newest bi-weekly update to the ATI library – an end-to-end simulation of the recent WordPress exploitation. Customers of Ixia ATI can now test for the exploitation of the WordPress pingback as well as test DDoS mitigation of the attack to help ensure that their networks are protected. Additionally, customers using Ixia’s PerfectStorm security test solution can validate their networks for nearly a terabit of traffic.

The WorldPress attack used the XML-RPC service available on WordPress servers, which enabled attackers to use the service as an amplifier to overwhelm attacked servers with legitimate yet unrequested traffic. Hackers carried out the attack by using the pingback function of the service and spoofed IP addresses to amplify requests, and in turn, servers answered with a disproportionate amount of data. This amplification process allowed the attacker to launch a high-scale DDoS attack with a minimal number of client attackers.

“The number of DDoS attacks is rising globally as hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and as the recent WordPress attack shows, companies of all sizes must ensure that their networks can withstand complex attacks,” said Steve McGregory, Director of Ixia’s Application and Threat Intelligence team. “With Ixia’s security solutions and the ATI program, our customers get up-to-date and actionable intelligence on the latest vulnerabilities and attacks. This bi-weekly update means that subscribers can remain confident that they are able to evolve along with the ever changing threat landscape.”

Through a subscription service, Ixia’s ATI program provides comprehensive and current information on over 230 application protocols and 35,000 real world attacks found in core and mobile networks. Updated every two weeks, the ATI program allows customers using Ixia’s security solutions to have the necessary tools and insights to ensure their networks are validated and hardened against security attacks – even in the face of today’s modern hackers.

About Ixia

Ixia develops amazing products so its customers can connect the world. Ixia helps its customers provide an always-on user experience through fast, secure delivery of dynamic, connected technologies and services. Through actionable insights that accelerate and secure application and service delivery, Ixia's customers benefit from faster time to market, optimized application performance and higher-quality deployments. Learn more at http://www.ixiacom.com.