- by x32x01 ||
Every time you browse the web, your data travels across a vast network of routers - guided by the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). BGP decides the best path your data packets should take to reach their destination. But there’s a problem: BGP was built for connectivity, not security. That’s where RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure) comes in - a modern cryptographic solution that adds trust and verification to global routing.
BGP is the backbone of the Internet’s routing system. It allows autonomous systems (AS) - basically large networks owned by ISPs, corporations, or governments - to exchange routing information.
Each AS advertises the IP prefixes (network ranges) it owns, letting other systems know how to send traffic toward them.
For example:
This decentralized system makes the Internet scalable but also vulnerable to attacks and misconfigurations.
Since BGP relies on trust, any AS can announce any IP prefix - even if it doesn’t own it. This leads to BGP hijacking, where traffic is diverted, intercepted, or dropped.
Example:
Example:
Such hijacks can lead to:
RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure) is a security framework designed to verify route ownership. It introduces a cryptographic trust model that ensures only legitimate ASNs can advertise specific prefixes.
RPKI relies on digital certificates issued by Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) - like ARIN, RIPE, or APNIC - to verify the ownership of IP address blocks.
RPKI establishes a chain of trust starting from the IANA down to RIRs and finally to network operators.
Each RIR issues ROAs (Route Origin Authorizations) - digital records specifying which ASNs are allowed to announce which prefixes.
Example of a ROA:
Routers use ROAs to validate BGP announcements:
Without RPKI, anyone can impersonate anyone on the Internet. RPKI creates a verifiable trust chain that:
Real-world cases like Amazon’s Route 53 hijack and Google’s traffic leak to China could have been mitigated with proper RPKI validation.
Implementing RPKI involves three main steps:
RPKI doesn’t completely encrypt the Internet, but it adds the missing layer of authenticity to global routing. It ensures that every route you receive is legitimate and belongs to the correct network owner.
As the Internet continues to expand, RPKI is no longer optional - it’s essential for preventing hijacks, improving trust, and keeping the global network safe and reliable.
What Is BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)?
BGP is the backbone of the Internet’s routing system. It allows autonomous systems (AS) - basically large networks owned by ISPs, corporations, or governments - to exchange routing information.Each AS advertises the IP prefixes (network ranges) it owns, letting other systems know how to send traffic toward them.
For example:
- AS100 announces 1.0.0.0/8
- Other routers update their routing tables to send traffic for that range through AS100.
This decentralized system makes the Internet scalable but also vulnerable to attacks and misconfigurations.
The Problem: BGP Hijacks
Since BGP relies on trust, any AS can announce any IP prefix - even if it doesn’t own it. This leads to BGP hijacking, where traffic is diverted, intercepted, or dropped.Types of BGP Hijacks
1. Equal Prefix Length Hijack
When two systems announce the same prefix, routers must choose between them.Example:
- AS1 (legitimate) and AS2 (attacker) both announce 1.0.0.0/8.
- Depending on routing policies, traffic might go to the attacker’s network.
2. Specific Prefix Hijack
Attackers announce a more specific prefix to override legitimate routes.Example:
- AS1 owns 1.0.0.0/8
- Attacker AS2 announces 1.2.3.0/24
→ Routers prefer the more specific route, redirecting traffic to the attacker.
Such hijacks can lead to:
Data interception
Financial fraud
Major Internet outages
What Is RPKI and How It Fixes BGP
RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure) is a security framework designed to verify route ownership. It introduces a cryptographic trust model that ensures only legitimate ASNs can advertise specific prefixes.RPKI relies on digital certificates issued by Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) - like ARIN, RIPE, or APNIC - to verify the ownership of IP address blocks.
How RPKI Works
RPKI establishes a chain of trust starting from the IANA down to RIRs and finally to network operators.
The Trust Hierarchy
| Acronym | Full Name | Region |
|---|---|---|
| ARIN | American Registry for Internet Numbers | North America |
| LACNIC | Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Centre | Latin America |
| RIPE NCC | Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre | Europe, West Asia |
| AFRINIC | African Network Information Centre | Africa |
| APNIC | Asia Pacific Network Information Centre | Asia Pacific |
Example of a ROA:
- Prefix: 1.0.0.0/8
- Max Length: /12
- Authorized ASN: AS65005
Routers use ROAs to validate BGP announcements:
| Validation State | Meaning |
|---|---|
 Valid | ROA exists and matches ASN and prefix |
 Invalid | ROA exists but doesn’t match ASN or prefix |
 Not Found | No ROA available |
Why RPKI Matters
Without RPKI, anyone can impersonate anyone on the Internet. RPKI creates a verifiable trust chain that:
Prevents hijacks and route leaks
Authenticates prefix ownership
Reduces outages and misconfigurations
Builds global routing integrity
Real-world cases like Amazon’s Route 53 hijack and Google’s traffic leak to China could have been mitigated with proper RPKI validation.
Deploying RPKI
Implementing RPKI involves three main steps:
Generate ROAs with your RIR to define authorized prefixes.- Run RPKI Validators to fetch and verify certificates from global repositories.
Apply BGP Filters on routers to drop invalid prefixes.
Final Thoughts
RPKI doesn’t completely encrypt the Internet, but it adds the missing layer of authenticity to global routing. It ensures that every route you receive is legitimate and belongs to the correct network owner.As the Internet continues to expand, RPKI is no longer optional - it’s essential for preventing hijacks, improving trust, and keeping the global network safe and reliable.
Last edited: