What are the types of DNS attacks? Full analysis of common types and characteristics

in the Internet communication system, DNS is the core hub of domain name and Internet Protocol Address conversion. Once attacked, it will directly lead to abnormal network access, data leakage and even system paralysis. With the continuous escalation of network threats, the types of DNS attacks continue to evolve, showing the characteristics of diversification and concealment. This article will deeply analyze the common types of DNS attacks, dismantle their attack principles, characteristics and harms, and provide reference for cyber security protection in different scenarios, helping readers to establish a clear understanding of DNS attacks.

What types of DNS attacks are spoofing?

spoofing DNS attack type is by forging DNS response data, misleading users or server access to the wrong target, such attacks are concealed, easy to cause user data leakage or be directed to malicious sites.

1, DNS cache poisoning attack

core of this type of DNS attack is the injection of fake domain name resolution records into the cache of the DNS server, and when the user queries the relevant domain name, the server returns a forged Internet Protocol Address. Attackers usually exploit the design vulnerabilities of the DNS protocol to implant malicious resolution data into the cache without the server verifying the source of the response, and the impact can cover all users using the server. The effect of the attack can last until the cache record expires.

2, DNS response spoofing attack

this type of DNS attack does not need to invade the DNS server, but preemptively returns a forged resolution response to the user after the user sends a DNS query request, allowing the user to receive false data first. Attackers need to accurately capture the timing of the user's query request, and mislead the user to visit the malicious server by forging the response packet that matches the request, which is common in unprotected network environments such as public WiFi.

What types of DNS attacks are resource exhaustion?

resource exhaustion type DNS attack type is by sending a large number of invalid requests, occupy the DNS server bandwidth, memory and other resources, resulting in the server can not handle the query request of normal users, belonging to the typical Distributed Denial-of-service category.

1, DNS amplification DDoS attack

this type of DNS attack takes advantage of the fact that the response data of the DNS protocol is much larger than the request data, the request to forge the source Internet Protocol Address is sent to the open DNS server, and a large amount of response data returned by the server will rush to the forged target IP, forming a traffic amplification effect. Usually a small request can trigger dozens or even hundreds of times the response traffic, which can exhaust the target internet bandwidth resources in a short time.

2, DNS flood attack

this type of DNS attack is to send a large number of random domain name query requests to the target DNS server, so that the server is constantly in a high-load operating state and cannot handle legitimate queries from normal users. Attackers usually control a large number of botnet devices to initiate requests, and the number of requests can reach hundreds of thousands of times per second, directly leading to the exhaustion of server CPU and memory resources, and eventually paralysis.

What types of DNS attacks are hijacking?

hijacking type of DNS attack is to control a link of domain name resolution, forcing the user's DNS request to the server designated by the attacker, so as to realize the manipulation of the user's access path.

1, local DNS hijacking attack

this type of DNS attack mainly targets the user's end point device, modifying the DNS server address settings of the device through malicious software, so that all the user's domain name query requests are sent to the server controlled by the attacker. Attackers can use this to tamper with the resolution results, guide users to visit phishing websites, or insert advertising content during the user's normal visit, which is common in personal computers or mobile devices infected by malicious software.

2, DNS server hijacking attack

this type of DNS attack is to directly invade a legitimate DNS server, modify the server's configuration or resolution records, so that all users who use the server are affected. Attackers usually use the server's system vulnerabilities or weak passwords to gain permissions, and then modify the domain name resolution pointing, causing large-scale network access abnormalities, and even steal users' sensitive login information.

What are the hidden characteristics of DNS attack types?

the hidden characteristics of different DNS attack types are different, and mastering these characteristics can help users quickly identify the signs of attack, take protective measures in time, and avoid greater losses.

1, analysis results abnormal fluctuations

when a DNS attack type occurs, the resolution results of the same domain name may fluctuate erratically, such as multiple queries returning different Internet Protocol Addresses, or the return of Internet Protocol Addresses does not belong to the normal situation. Such characteristics are common in DNS cache poisoning or response spoofing attacks, and users can find anomalies by comparing the results of multiple cross-server queries.

2, network access latency surge

type of resource-exhausted DNS attack can cause DNS server response speed to drop significantly, users will experience significant delays when accessing the domain name, and even cannot open the page for a long time. If multiple users have similar situations at the same time, and the internet bandwidth resources are sufficient, you need to be vigilant whether you have encountered DNS floods or amplified DDoS attacks.

sum up, this paper sorts out the spoofing, resource exhaustion, hijacking and other types of DNS attacks, and analyzes the principle, characteristics and hazards of each DNS attack type. There are differences in the implementation and impact scope of different DNS attack types, but the core is to use the weak links of the DNS system to launch damage. Mastering the characteristics of these DNS attack types can help users and operation and maintenance personnel take targeted protection measures, such as configuring reliable DNS servers, opening cache verification mechanisms, monitoring abnormal resolution results, etc., so as to improve the overall cyber security protection level.