Advanced DNS Attacks: Poisoning and Exploitation

Understanding DNS Vulnerabilities and Practical Techniques for Exploitation and Defense

The Domain Name System (DNS) is often called the “phonebook of the internet,” translating human-readable domain names (e.g., example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses. While essential, DNS is inherently vulnerable to several attacks, with DNS poisoning being one of the most critical.

In this article, we’ll explore the mechanics of DNS poisoning, practical exploitation techniques, and strategies to secure DNS infrastructure.

1. What is DNS Poisoning?

DNS poisoning (also called DNS cache poisoning) involves injecting false DNS records into a DNS resolver’s cache. This misdirects users to malicious websites or intercepts network traffic, enabling phishing, malware distribution, and data theft.

How It Works:

1. An attacker sends forged DNS responses to a resolver.
2. The resolver caches the malicious response.
3. Future queries for the poisoned domain are directed to the attacker-controlled IP.

2. Common DNS Attacks

2.1 DNS Cache Poisoning