Evading Deep Reinforcement Learning-based Network Intrusion Detection with Adversarial Attacks

An Intrusion Detection System (IDS) aims to detect attacks conducted over computer networks by analyzing traffic data. Deep Reinforcement Learning (Deep-RL) is a promising lead in IDS research, due to its lightness and adaptability. However, the neural networks on which Deep-RL is based can be vulnerable to adversarial attacks. By applying a well-computed modification to malicious traffic, adversarial examples can evade detection. In this paper, we test the performance of a state-of-the-art Deep-RL IDS agent against the Fast Gradient Sign Method (FGSM) and Basic Iterative Method (BIM) adversarial attacks. We demonstrate that the performance of the Deep-RL detection agent is compromised in the face of adversarial examples and highlight the need for future Deep-RL IDS work to consider mechanisms for coping with adversarial examples.