DNS is a key kind of communication. It compares IP addresses and user-entered domains. DNS attacks employ this technique to carry out damaging actions.
Using DNS tunnelling techniques, for instance, threat actors can impede network connectivity and acquire remote access to a server that is being targeted.
Additional DNS attacks may be used by threat actors to take down systems, steal data, send users to fake websites, and conduct Distribution Loss of Service (DDoS) actions.
What is a DNS Attack?
In computer networks, domain names are converted to IP addresses, which are then used by systems to communicate with one another, using the Domain Names, aka DNS. Nearly every computer network has DNS; it connects to other networks and is exceedingly challenging to secure because it was intended to be an access protocol.
Performing harmful tasks like network surveillance, malware downloads, connection with network and system, or file transfer outside of a network may appeal to an adversary. As a result, it is essential to monitor DNS traffic in order to protect against threats.
An attack on a network’s DNS service is any assault that aims to compromise its dependability or availability. Attacks like dns spoofing that employ DNS as a toolset as part of a larger assault strategy are also classified as DNS attacks. We will gain an understanding of the most significant DNS attacks in this essay.
What does DNS server unavailable mean?
To guarantee they can link to the correct DNS server when the computer or connection is initially utilised, DNS settings are programmed into the hardware. Checking the device settings is a great idea when a DNS issue arises because such settings can occasionally change.
Verify DNS settings
- Turn off your firewall and antivirus software
- Turn off any additional connections
- Driver updates for network adapters.
Browser
- Sometimes the issue is with the browser rather than the DNS server. If so, one of the solutions listed below ought to make things right:
- Restart your browser.
- Delete the cache in the browser.
- Change Your Browser.
DNS server connections can be disrupted by routers.
- Either the settings should be changed, or the router should be changed.
- Here are some suggestions for fixing routers.
- Join the Ethernet network.
- Start the router again.
- Router update. Examine the router for updates. If there are adjustments, think about putting them into practice.
- Reset your router to its default settings.
- If ports are operating properly, an ISP is probably to blame.
Types of DNS Attacks
1. DDoS assaults
- A site is the target of a DDoS assault, which involves several computers and internet connections.
- DDoS assaults frequently enlarge a botnet of compromised computers that silently execute malicious queries.
- Attackers can use the combined computing power of numerous devices to simultaneously query the target network.
Three different DDoS attack subtypes exist as well:
Attacks called floods: are designed to render a server inaccessible to actual traffic by ‘flooding’ it with resources.
Protocol assaults: These attacks disable the real system resources or even other network hardware, such as load balancers and firewalls.
Attacks at the application layer: The attacker makes seemingly innocent requests that actually take advantage of the target’s weaknesses in order to bring down the web server.
2. DoS assaults
- One machine and one internet access are used in a straightforward DoS attack to bombard a remote server.
- They don’t do a great job of overpowering the high-capacity systems of today.
3. DNS hijacking
- A trace for your domain’s IP address can be altered by malicious parties to go to their address rather.
- Attackers may gain access to your domain registrar accounts and change its DNS nameserver to one of their own choosing (see illustration).
- Attackers may gain access to a company’s router and alter the DNS server that’s also automatically dragged down to every device whenever a user logged on to the network.
4. On-Path Attacks
A user’s username and password can be taken by an on-path attacker who waits to attack the user as they get to the desired website.
Focusing on the HTTP link that occurs among a client and a website can help achieve this.
By intercepting this connection, an attacker can act as a proxy, gathering and altering the data that is passed between a user and a website.
Alternatively, the attacker may take control of a user’s cookies, which are little data files that websites produce and store on users’ computers for use in identification and other functions.
In order to impersonate a user on the website, an attacker can use these stolen cookies to hijack the user’s session.
DNS servers are another target for on-path attackers.
Web browsers are able to access websites by converting host names thanks to the DNS lookup procedure. In DNS on-path attacks, such as Phishing campaigns and DNS hijacking, a hacker can take over the DNS lookup procedure and direct visitors to malicious or sensitive information-gathering websites.
A further defence against these attacks is the use of authentication certificates. All of an organisation’s devices can employ certificate-based authentication, which restricts system access to only users with valid certificates.
On-path attackers employ a variety of techniques
There is no universal remedy for these attacks. Adopting SSL/TLS, which establishes encrypted communications between users and online services, is among the most fundamental techniques to defend against attacks that attack HTTP traffic.
5. Facebook dns attack
“Sorry, something went wrong,” read a notification after attempting to sign into Facebook. The problem is being addressed, and we’ll fix it as soon as we can.
Later on Monday afternoon, Facebook came back up.
Since 2008, this was Facebook’s worst outage. Around 80 million users were impacted when a problem caused it to go offline for around a day at that time. According to the platform, 3 billion people use it.
The disruption took place the day after “60 Minutes” disclosed the name of Facebook leaker Frances Haugen.
She claimed that records demonstrate Facebook is aware that hate, violence, and disinformation are distributed on its platforms and that the business has made an effort to conceal this information. She claimed that Facebook puts business interests ahead of society.
No, regardless of how well we prepare, disruptions will still occur.It’s a reality that IT specialists will have to live with. The difficulty we have is determining the best ways to reduce that risk and how to act in emergency situations.
Some best practises, albeit not all of them are relevant to the Facebook downtime, include:
- Create fail-over strategies for all infrastructure, such as global server load balancing, and get rid of single points of failure.
- Reduce the likelihood of human error via automation and process-focused checks and balances
- deciding on and developing a plan to reduce the major risks
- Learn about the cyber security services that your data centre provider offers, such as DDoS protection.
- Both an external communications strategy and an internal communication strategy should be in place.
FAQs
What is a DNS attack?
A DNS (Domain Name System) attack involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the DNS infrastructure to compromise the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of DNS data. These attacks can include DNS spoofing, cache poisoning, DDoS attacks, and other methods that manipulate or disrupt the normal functioning of the DNS.
Is DNS poisoning an on-path attack?
Yes, DNS poisoning is considered an on-path attack. In DNS poisoning, attackers introduce false or malicious DNS information into the DNS resolver's cache. By positioning themselves in the communication path between the user and the DNS server, attackers can redirect users to malicious websites or intercept sensitive information.
What is the difference between on-path and off-path attackers?
- On-Path Attackers: On-path attackers position themselves in the communication path between the sender and receiver. They can intercept, modify, or block data passing through the network. Man-in-the-Middle attacks, DNS poisoning, and session hijacking are examples of on-path attacks.
- Off-Path Attackers: Off-path attackers do not intercept communication directly but rely on other methods. They may use techniques like packet sniffing or exploiting vulnerabilities to capture or manipulate data. Off-path attacks can be more challenging to execute but are still potent threats.
What is the most common DNS attack?
One of the most common DNS attacks is DNS cache poisoning. In this attack, the attacker injects fraudulent DNS data into the cache of a DNS resolver. This can lead to users being redirected to malicious websites, causing potential security breaches and compromise of sensitive information.
Is on-path attack the same as MitM?
Yes, an on-path attack is synonymous with a Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack. In both cases, the attacker positions themselves in the communication path between two parties, allowing them to intercept, manipulate, or eavesdrop on the communication.
Which of the following can be used to perform an on-path attack?
Several techniques can be used to perform an on-path attack, including:
- Packet Sniffing: Capturing and analyzing data packets to gain sensitive information.
- ARP Spoofing: Manipulating the Address Resolution Protocol to associate the attacker's MAC address with the IP address of a legitimate network participant.
- DNS Spoofing: Providing false DNS responses to redirect users to malicious websites.
- Session Hijacking: Stealing session identifiers to impersonate a legitimate user during an ongoing session.
Gloria Bradford is a renowned expert in the field of encryption, widely recognized for her pioneering work in safeguarding digital information and communication. With a career spanning over two decades, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of cybersecurity and data protection.
Throughout her illustrious career, Gloria has occupied key roles in both private industry and government agencies. Her expertise has been instrumental in developing state-of-the-art encryption and code signing technologies that have fortified digital fortresses against the relentless tide of cyber threats.