Glossary

LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol) is a specific implementation of the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), a network protocol used for authentication and authorization of network access. LEAP was developed by Cisco Systems and was one of the first EAP methods introduced for wireless networks.

The main goal of LEAP is to enhance the security of wireless networks by enabling secure authentication between a wireless client and a network access point. When using LEAP, a user connecting wirelessly to a network is prompted to enter credentials, which are then securely transmitted to a RADIUS authentication server through a secure connection. The authentication server verifies the entered credentials and sends the result back to the access point, which then grants or denies access.

In the LEAP authentication process, the user's credentials are protected using a type of challenge-response mechanism. A shared secret key is used between the client and the RADIUS server to encrypt the credentials, ensuring confidentiality and minimizing the risk of password theft or unauthorized access.

Another security feature of LEAP is the use of dynamic Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) keys for data encryption between the client and the access point. These keys are generated automatically during the authentication process and are regularly changed to ensure the security of wireless communication.

Although LEAP was widely used in the past, it has lost popularity in recent years due to some vulnerabilities. One of the main criticisms of LEAP is that the shared secret key is vulnerable to brute-force attacks, where an attacker attempts to guess the key by trying all possible combinations. Additionally, LEAP does not support strong mutual authentication between the client and the server, which can lead to potential security gaps.

In response to these vulnerabilities, alternative EAP methods have been developed, such as Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) and EAP-Transport Layer Security (EAP-TLS), which offer higher security and broader support. However, LEAP is still used in some older network environments, particularly when there are no strong security requirements or when the existing infrastructure does not support other EAP methods.

Advantages of LEAP (Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol):

1. Easy implementation: LEAP was one of the first EAP methods and was characterized by a relatively simple implementation. This facilitated integration into existing network infrastructures and allowed for quick deployment.

2. Improved security: LEAP provided more secure authentication for wireless networks compared to earlier insecure methods. By using encrypted credentials and dynamic WEP keys, the risk of password theft and unauthorized access was reduced.

3. Support for RADIUS servers: LEAP worked closely with Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) servers to enable user authentication and authorization. This allowed for centralized management of access rights and enhanced control over the wireless network.

4. Interoperability: LEAP was supported by various vendors and devices, facilitating interoperability between different wireless network components. This enabled users to access wireless networks regardless of their hardware.

Disadvantages of LEAP:

1. Security risks: Although LEAP provided improved security compared to earlier insecure methods, it had some security vulnerabilities. The shared secret key used for encrypting the credentials was vulnerable to brute-force attacks, where an attacker attempts to guess the key by trying all possible combinations. This increased the risk of a successful authentication attack.

2. Lack of mutual authentication: LEAP did not support strong mutual authentication between the client and the server, meaning the server couldn't fully verify the client's identity. This increased the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker intercepts the connection and masquerades as a legitimate user.

3. Limited adoption and support: Despite its past widespread use, LEAP has lost popularity in recent years. Many organizations now prefer more advanced EAP methods like PEAP and EAP-TLS, which offer higher security and broader support. As a result, support and updates for LEAP may be limited in the future.

4. Limited scalability: LEAP may not be ideal for large networks with many users, as it has certain scalability limits. Processing and managing large user groups can lead to performance issues and hinder the efficiency of the authentication process.

LEAP was an important milestone in the development of wireless authentication methods and contributed to improving the security of wireless networks. Despite its limitations, it remains part of the EAP family and paved the way for more advanced EAP methods that are now deployed in many wireless networks.