Development of a Cross-Platform USB WiFi Driver for Network Traffic Analysis and Packet Injection

The client currently possesses a Linux-based WiFi driver used for analyzing traffic and detecting cybersecurity threats within WiFi networks. They require a comparable Windows driver to perform similar functions—listening to channels, intercepting packets, injecting packets, and measuring noise levels—primarily for network traffic analysis and cybersecurity purposes. Standard Windows drivers lack the necessary functionality, and their existing code is proprietary, complicating direct development from scratch. They seek a solution that enables seamless communication between their analysis software and the WiFi hardware on Windows platforms to enhance their cybersecurity offerings.

A mid-to-large size telecommunications equipment provider specializing in network security and analysis solutions.

• Create a custom Windows USB WiFi driver that mirrors the functionality of the existing Linux driver, including channel listening, packet interception, injection, and noise measurement.
• Port core Linux kernel functions to a Windows environment via a user mode library to maximize code reuse and efficiency.
• Develop a high-level, language-agnostic API to facilitate communication between the cybersecurity analysis solution and the WiFi driver.
• Enable driver detection, installation, and switching to facilitate automated management of WiFi devices.
• Achieve compliance with Windows Hardware Lab Kit (WHQL) standards to allow automatic driver management across systems without manual user intervention.

• Ported Linux kernel functions necessary for WiFi packet processing, implemented as a user mode library.
• Compilation and linking of the existing Linux driver codebase optimized for Windows (including resolving cross-platform build system differences like Makefiles to CMake).
• A high-level API (initially in C++) providing functionalities for packet interception and injection, with testing applications to validate performance and accuracy.
• Conversion of the API to C to align with client’s existing network analysis solutions.
• An auto-switch feature enabling seamless transition between standard and custom drivers for WiFi USB devices.
• An INF configuration file supporting automatic driver installation and hardware recognition.
• Compliance with Windows WHQL standards for driver certification.

• Client’s existing network traffic analysis software for communication via the high-level API
• Wireshark for data analysis and validation of intercepted packets
• Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) for driver certification testing

• Driver performance should handle real-time packet interception and injection without significant resource overhead.
• API should support multi-process and multi-language access for flexible client integration.
• Solution must be compatible with Windows 10 and later versions.
• Achieve WHQL certification for seamless deployment and management across enterprise systems.
• Ensure security best practices in driver and API implementation to prevent vulnerabilities.

By leveraging ported Linux driver functionality within a Windows environment and automating driver management, the project aims to significantly reduce development time (approximately halving the initial estimate from eight to four months). It will enable the client to enhance their network security analysis capabilities, offering real-time packet interception, injection, and noise measurement on Windows devices. The solution will facilitate easier deployment and management of WiFi analysis tools, improve performance and reliability, and support compliance with enterprise standards like WHQL, ultimately strengthening the client’s cybersecurity offerings and operational efficiency.