Software Engineering Institute

DNS

The Domain Name System provides name, address, and other information about Internet Protocol (IP) networks and devices.

The Problems

The U.K. National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Center (NISCC) and the Oulu University Secure Programming Group have reported numerous vulnerabilities in DNS implementations.

These vulnerabilities were discovered using the PROTOS DNS Test Tool developed by Oulu University Secure Programming Group (OUSPG). The results of the tests are described in NISCC Vulnerability Advisory 144154/NISCC/DNS. According to that advisory:

There are three sets of test materials available with the tool; these are specifically designed for the following scenarios:

1. The Query Material -> [queries, dynamic DNS updates] -> DNS server
2. The Response Material -> [query replies] -> DNS server
3. The Response Material -> [query replies] -> DNS stub resolver (client)
4. The Zone Transfer Material -> [zone transfers] -> secondary DNS server

The test material simulates hostile input to the DNS implementation by sending invalid
and/or abnormal packets.

These vulnerabilities may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial-of-service condition, gain access to sensitive information, or cause an DNS implementation to behave in an unstable/unpredictable manner.

Exploitation of some of these vulnerabilities may allow a remote attacker to take control of a DNS server. Once a DNS server compromised, the attacker may be able to launch attacks on other, unaffected DNS servers.

Apply a patch from an affected product vendor