Major DNS Attacks Types : Real World Examples and Mitigation Strategies

Updated at: July 16, 20248 Mins Read

Author: QuillAudits Team

Introduction

DNS security is vital for a safe online space. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses, crucial for internet functionality. DNS ensures unique name-value pairs and maintains a consistent database view for all participants. However, vulnerabilities in this system can have significant consequences:


dns intro

Disrupted access: DNS attacks redirect users, blocking access to legitimate sites, and may expose them to phishing or malware threats.

Data breaches: Hacked DNS records enable theft of sensitive data by directing users to fraudulent websites.

Business disruption: DNS attacks causing downtime can result in major financial losses and harm an organization’s reputation.

These consequences go beyond immediate impacts. DNS attacks often have cascading effects:

Compromised trust: A successful attack on a trusted organization can erode user confidence in online interactions, impacting other businesses and services.

Expanded attack surface: DNS vulnerabilities can grant attackers network access, facilitating additional internal system and data breaches.

Internet interconnectivity means cybersecurity threats aren’t isolated; weakness in one area can create vulnerabilities elsewhere. Holistic security is vital, safeguarding DNS, network infrastructure, user devices, and applications comprehensively. Organizations can bolster defenses and limit attack consequences with a holistic security approach.

This section emphasizes DNS security’s importance and consequences. We’ll explore real-world examples and mitigation strategies to understand cascading effects.



Major DNS Attacks Types

DNS Hijacking

DNS hijacking disrupts the Internet by corrupting DNS records, potentially blocking access or redirecting users to malicious sites. Attackers often replace legitimate domain IP addresses with malicious ones by manipulating DNS for cyber attacks. This change redirects DNS queries to malicious servers, deceiving users into accessing fake websites unknowingly. Users unknowingly visit compromised sites via tampered servers, risking phishing and malware threats compromising their devices.

dns hijacking

DNS amplification attacks

In this type of DDoS attack, the attacker uses a method called reflection-based volumetric DDoS. They take advantage of open DNS servers to create a massive amount of internet traffic, much bigger than normal. The goal is to flood a specific server or network with so much traffic that it can't handle it all. This overwhelms the server and its systems, effectively knocking them offline and inaccessible to users.

Amplification attacks exploit the difference in bandwidth usage between attackers and targeted websites. By sending small queries that generate large responses, attackers can overwhelm network infrastructure. This effect is multiplied when multiple bots in a botnet make similar requests, making it harder to detect the attacker while significantly increasing the volume of the attack traffic.

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DNS tunneling

DNS tunneling encodes data from other programs or protocols within DNS queries and responses. This technique can carry data payloads that hijack a DNS server, enabling attackers to control the remote server and its applications.

Typically, DNS tunneling uses the compromised system's external network connectivity to access an internal DNS server. It also requires the attacker to control a server and a domain, which acts as an authoritative server to execute data payload programs and manage server-side tunneling.

DNS Tunneling

DNS poisoning and cache poisoning

DNS spoofing, also called DNS cache poisoning, is when fake DNS records are used to send people to a fraudulent website that looks like the real one. Once users reach this fake site, they are asked to log into their accounts. When they do, they unknowingly give their login details and any other sensitive information to the attacker. These fake sites can also install viruses or worms on user’s computers, allowing the attacker to have long-term access to the device and its data.

DNS poisoning and cache poisoning





Real-World Example of DNS Attack

Curve Finance

On August 9th, 2022, Curve Finance reported a DNS hijack affecting its website interface.

The attacker replaced the project’s frontend with a malicious one, leading users to unwittingly approve unauthorized transfers. Users, interacting with the altered frontend, wrongly assumed they were approving transfers via official contracts. In reality, users unknowingly granted approval for their funds to be directed to the attacker’s contract address. When approved, this drained users’ wallets, resulting in a $570k loss for Curve Finance. Again, credentials to access the project’s DNS record, managed by Iwantmyname, were stolen. This enabled the attacker to substitute the legitimate IP address mapping with malicious ones. The webpage’s code was altered to swap the legitimate address for swapping operations with a malicious one.

The hack did the attack via below steps:

Step 1 – DNS hijack redirect users to a malicious URL. Users unknowingly authorized transactions to the hacker’s contract, leading to loss.

Step 2 – The hacker’s contract, with user token authorization, can transfer tokens from the user’s wallet to the hacker’s specified address.

Step 3 – Hackers traded the tokens gained from the attacks on decentralized exchanges and then laundered them using Tornado.Cash.



Conclusion

DNS attacks pose significant threats to internet stability and security, with far-reaching consequences for users and organizations. From phishing to ransomware, these attacks have consistent harmful potential. Understanding the threats is key to effective mitigation. Strategies like email security, encryption, and employee education are crucial. By adopting layered defenses, organizations can reduce vulnerability. Vigilance is essential for all stakeholders, and resources are available for further learning. Let’s prioritize cybersecurity for a safer digital future.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are some technical mitigation strategies against DNS attacks in the Web3 and blockchain ecosystem?
DNSSEC enhances security by authenticating DNS responses, reducing DNS spoofing risks. Encourage Web3 wallet usage with extra security features. Explore decentralized DNS options for resilience. Implement Content Security Policies on Web3 interfaces to prevent malicious script loading. Regular audits and DNS traffic monitoring help identify and mitigate threats promptly.
How does DNS cache poisoning affect Web3 and blockchain services?
What are the best practices for Web3 developers to prevent DNS-related vulnerabilities in their applications?
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