What characterizes single-packet attacks?

Single-packet attacks are characterized by the attempt to exploit a vulnerability using only one packet, which makes them distinct from multi-packet attacks that utilize multiple packets to overwhelm a system. The correct aspect regarding single-packet attacks is that they usually aim to manipulate a system’s response to a specific traffic pattern or data packet. While it is true that multiple attack packets can overwhelm network resources in other forms of attacks, the defining feature of single-packet attacks is that they efficiently exploit a vulnerability using just a single packet. This can challenge traditional security mechanisms because they often focus on detecting volume-based attacks.

The other options describe characteristics that don't align with single-packet attacks. For instance, the notion of relying on a single botnet host for execution does not capture the essence of these attacks, which can be executed without botnets. Also, stating that they overwhelm network resources through numerous attack packets is contrary to the essence of single-packet attacks since they revolve around using one packet. Lastly, asserting that they operate exclusively on physical network layers misrepresents their function, as single-packet attacks can exploit vulnerabilities at various layers of the network stack.