What is one of the weaknesses that a replay attack exploits?

A replay attack is a type of network security attack in which a valid data transmission is maliciously or fraudulently repeated or delayed. One of the key weaknesses that a replay attack exploits is the use of stored biometric characteristics.

In the case of biometric authentication systems, if an attacker is able to capture the data transmission that includes a user's biometric information (such as fingerprint or facial recognition data), they could later replay that data to gain unauthorized access. The security of such systems heavily relies on the uniqueness and timely capture of biometric data, as well as the system's ability to differentiate between live biometric input and stored data.

Stored biometric characteristics can be vulnerable because they do not inherently change and can be intercepted. In contrast, systems that require live biometric capture are better equipped against replay attacks, as they analyze the data in real-time and can look for signs of liveness, thus reducing the risk associated with repeated or delayed transmissions of previously captured data.

Understanding this dynamic highlights the importance of implementing security mechanisms that protect against replay attacks, particularly in systems relying on biometrics for authentication.