US-CERT Alert (TA15-240A) Controlling Outbound DNS Access

tronayne · 08-28-2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Original release date: August 28, 2015

Systems Affected

Networked systems

Overview

US-CERT has observed an increase in Domain Name System (DNS) traffic from client systems within internal networks to publically hosted DNS servers. Direct client access to Internet DNS servers, rather than controlled access through enterprise DNS servers, can expose an organization to unnecessary security risks and system inefficiencies. This Alert provides recommendations for improving security related to outbound DNS queries and responses.

Description

Client systems and applications may be configured to send DNS requests to servers other than authorized enterprise DNS caching name servers (also called resolving, forwarding or recursive name servers). This type of configuration poses a security risk and may introduce inefficiencies to an organization.

Impact

Unless managed by perimeter technical solutions, client systems and applications may connect to systems outside the enterprises administrative control for DNS resolution. Internal enterprise systems should only be permitted to initiate requests to and receive responses from approved enterprise DNS caching name servers. Permitting client systems and applications to connect directly to Internet DNS infrastructure introduces risks and inefficiencies to the organization, which include:

Bypassed enterprise monitoring and logging of DNS traffic; this type of monitoring is an important tool for detecting potential malicious network activity.
Bypassed enterprise DNS security filtering (sinkhole/redirect or blackhole/block) capabilities; this may allow clients to access malicious domains that would otherwise be blocked.
Client interaction with compromised or malicious DNS servers; this may cause inaccurate DNS responses for the domain requested (e.g., the client is sent to a phishing site or served malicious code).
Lost protections against DNS cache poisoning and denial-of-service attacks. The mitigating effects of a tiered or hierarchical (e.g., separate internal and external DNS servers, split DNS, etc.) DNS architecture used to prevent such attacks are lost.
Reduced Internet browsing speed since enterprise DNS caching would not be utilized.

See https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA15-240A for further information, including recommended solution and a link to Secure Domain Name System (DNS) Deployment Guide.

Hope this helps some.

ButterflyMelissa · 08-29-2015, 07:12 AM

Thanks!