Network-layer DDoS Attack Protection
The Cloudflare Network-layer DDoS Attack Protection managed ruleset is a set of pre-configured rules used to match known DDoS attack vectors at levels 3 and 4 of the OSI model.
Cloudflare updates the list of rules in the managed ruleset on a regular basis. Refer to the changelog for more information on recent and upcoming changes.
The Network-layer DDoS Attack Protection managed ruleset is always enabled — you can only customize its behavior.
You may need to adjust the behavior of specific rules in case of false positives or due to specific traffic patterns.
Adjust the behavior of the rules in the managed ruleset by modifying the following parameters:
- The performed action when an attack is detected
- The sensitivity level of attack detection mechanisms
To adjust rule behavior, use one of the following methods:
- Configure the managed ruleset in the Cloudflare dashboard.
- Configure the managed ruleset via Cloudflare API.
- Configure the managed ruleset using Terraform.
You can only configure the behavior of the managed ruleset to set a stronger mitigation action or a lower sensitivity. Refer to Managed ruleset parameters for more information.
Overrides can apply to all packets or to a subset of incoming packets, depending on the override expression. Refer to Override expressions for more information.
The Network-layer DDoS Attack Protection managed ruleset is available in all Cloudflare plans for:
- Zones onboarded to Cloudflare (zones with their traffic routed through the Cloudflare network)
- IP applications onboarded to Spectrum
- IP prefixes onboarded to Magic Transit
However, only Magic Transit and Spectrum customers on an Enterprise plan can customize the managed ruleset.
Magic Transit customers can configure the following additional products:
- Enable Advanced TCP Protection to detect and mitigate sophisticated out-of-state TCP attacks such as randomized and spoofed ACK floods or SYN and SYN-ACK floods.
- Create custom Magic Firewall rules to block additional network-layer attacks.
Spectrum customers can use IP Access rules to block additional network-layer attacks.