Misconfigured DNS
Don't Return to Security Breaches from Misconfigured Security Configurations
TLDR: Misconfigured DNS can lead to vulnerabilities such as DNS poisoning, data leakage, and denial of service (DoS) attacks. These issues arise from improper zone file settings, insecure DNSSEC configurations, or lack of monitoring and auditing, violating several OWASP Top Ten principles, including Access Controls, Input Validation, and secure Policy Enforcement.
https://owasp.org/www-community/OWASP_Proactive_Controls
Improper DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) configurations can expose systems to DNS spoofing or man-in-the-middle attacks. For example, failing to sign zone files or validate signatures allows attackers to impersonate legitimate domains. Properly enabling and maintaining DNSSEC ensures alignment with secure Data Encryption practices.
https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/dnssec-what-is-it-2019-03-05-en
Exposed zone transfer settings allow unauthorized users to download the entire DNS database, leading to data leakage or reconnaissance for further attacks. Limiting zone transfers to trusted IPs or using TSIG (Transaction Signature) ensures compliance with OWASP Top Ten’s Access Management standards.
https://owasp.org/www-community/Access_Control
Failing to restrict recursive queries can turn a DNS server into an open resolver, exposing it to DNS amplification attacks. Configuring servers to allow recursive queries only for internal clients aligns with OWASP Top Ten's resource management principles.
https://owasp.org/www-community/Denial_of_Service
Logging unredacted DNS queries or responses can expose sensitive user information, such as browsing habits or internal IP addresses. Encrypting DNS traffic with protocols like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT) ensures compliance with OWASP Top Ten's Data Encryption standards.
https://owasp.org/www-community/Data_Encryption
Neglecting to monitor DNS configurations or changes in zone files can lead to unnoticed unauthorized modifications. Integrating DNS logs with SIEM systems ensures proactive monitoring, adhering to OWASP Top Ten’s focus on anomaly detection and logging.
https://owasp.org/www-community/Logging_and_Monitoring_Cheat_Sheet
Using weak or predictable DNS record values can result in exploitation through subdomain hijacking or wildcard abuse. Regular audits of record values and eliminating unnecessary wildcards mitigate these risks and align with OWASP Top Ten’s Policy Enforcement principles.
https://owasp.org/www-community/OWASP_API_Security_Project
Failing to implement failover or backup configurations for critical DNS servers increases the risk of outages or DoS attacks. Implementing secondary servers and configuring DNS failover strategies enhances availability and aligns with operational resilience practices.
https://owasp.org/www-community/OWASP_Proactive_Controls
Excessive DNS query logging without proper retention policies can overwhelm storage systems or expose data unnecessarily. Enforcing log retention policies ensures alignment with OWASP Top Ten lifecycle management recommendations.
https://owasp.org/www-community/Logging_and_Monitoring_Cheat_Sheet
Finally, misconfigured DNS settings in cloud environments, such as public exposure of private zones, can lead to severe data breaches. Adopting role-based access control (RBAC) and regularly reviewing cloud DNS configurations ensure compliance with OWASP Top Ten operational standards.