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🔒70% of BGP Paths Have Modified ORIGIN Attributes

Most Internet Routes Are Lying About Their Origin

TL;DR

A new study finds that nearly 70% of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routes have their origin attribute modified. This could affect how traffic is routed and perceived across the internet.

New research reveals that approximately 70% of BGP paths have their ORIGIN attributes altered, contrary to established standards. This manipulation can influence route selection and network traffic patterns. The study highlights a significant divergence between intended routing practices and actual implementations, impacting the reliability of global internet infrastructure. Key findings include: 89.8% of routes are marked as IGP (Internal Gateway Protocol), while 3.5% are EGP (External Gateway Protocol) and 6.7% are INCOMPLETE.

70% of BGP Paths Have Modified ORIGIN Attributes — The Cloudflare Blog

Key Points

1

70% of observed BGP paths have an ORIGIN value different from the originating AS

2

89.8% of routes marked as IGP, 3.5% EGP, 6.7% INCOMPLETE

3

ORIGIN attribute should not be modified by routers after initial set

4

Manipulation can influence route selection and traffic patterns

5

Study analyzed updates from RIPE RIS and RouteViews public collectors

Why It Matters

Network operators must now account for ORIGIN manipulation when assessing route integrity. This impacts how ASes manage their networks, especially in terms of traffic diversion and security.

BGPORIGIN attributenetwork securityinternet routing

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this matter?

Network operators must now account for ORIGIN manipulation when assessing route integrity. This impacts how ASes manage their networks, especially in terms of traffic diversion and security.

What happened?

A new study finds that nearly 70% of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routes have their origin attribute modified. This could affect how traffic is routed and perceived across the internet.

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