DNS hijacking, or DNS redirection, is a cyberattack where an attacker intercepts or manipulates DNS requests to redirect users to malicious websites that mimic legitimate ones.

How it Works:

• Normal DNS Process: When you type a website address (like threatngsecurity.com) into your browser, your computer requests a DNS server to find the corresponding IP address. The DNS server returns the correct IP address, allowing your browser to connect to the website.

• DNS Hijacking: In a hijacking attack, the attacker interferes with this process. They might:

  • Change DNS server settings: Malware on your computer or a compromised router could change your DNS settings to point to a malicious DNS server controlled by the attacker.

  • Intercept DNS requests: Attackers could intercept your DNS requests and respond with the wrong IP address, redirecting you to a fake website.

  • Exploit vulnerabilities: Attackers might exploit vulnerabilities in DNS servers to alter DNS records and redirect traffic to malicious sites.

Consequences of DNS Hijacking:

• Phishing: Users can be redirected to fake websites that look like legitimate banking, email, or social media sites. These fake sites trick users into entering their login credentials, which the attacker then steals.

• Malware distribution: Users might be redirected to websites that automatically download malware onto their devices.

• Data theft: Attackers can intercept and steal sensitive data transmitted between the user and the legitimate website.

• Censorship: Governments or organizations can hijack DNS to block access to certain websites or services.

Protection against DNS Hijacking:

• Use a reputable DNS server: Use a trusted DNS server like Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS.

• Keep your software updated: Install the latest security updates for your operating system, browser, and antivirus software.

• Use a VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and can help prevent DNS hijacking.

• Be cautious of suspicious links and emails: Avoid clicking on links or attachments from unknown senders.

• Monitor your DNS settings: Regularly check your DNS server settings to ensure they haven't been tampered with.

ThreatNG, as an all-in-one external attack surface management solution, offers a robust defense against DNS hijacking by incorporating its web application hijacking and subdomain takeover susceptibility assessment capabilities. Here's how it works:

1. Proactive Defense with Continuous Monitoring:

• Subdomain Takeover Susceptibility: ThreatNG actively scans for vulnerable subdomains susceptible to takeover. It includes identifying subdomains pointing to non-existent or expired services, often left unattended after website migrations or infrastructure changes. By detecting these weaknesses, ThreatNG allows you to reclaim control before attackers exploit them.

• Web Application Hijack Susceptibility: ThreatNG assesses your web applications for vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to hijack sessions, manipulate content, or redirect traffic. It includes identifying weaknesses in authentication mechanisms, session management, and input validation. Addressing these vulnerabilities reduces the risk of attackers gaining control of your web applications and potentially altering DNS settings.

2. Deep Dive with Domain Intelligence:

• DNS Intelligence: ThreatNG's DNS intelligence module provides in-depth analysis of DNS records, including:

  • Vendor Identification: Identifying the providers responsible for your DNS infrastructure allows you to assess their security posture and potential risks.

  • Record Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of DNS records for any unauthorized changes, such as modifications to A records, MX records, or NS records, could indicate a hijacking attempt.

• Subdomain Intelligence: ThreatNG goes beyond bare subdomain enumeration by:

  • Analyzing Content: Examining the content of each subdomain to identify suspicious or malicious activity.

  • Checking for Misconfigurations: Identifying subdomains with misconfigured DNS settings that could make them vulnerable to takeover.

• Certificate Intelligence: ThreatNG analyzes SSL certificates to:

  • Detect Expired or Invalid Certificates: This helps prevent attackers from exploiting expired certificates to impersonate your website and redirect traffic.

  • Identify Suspicious Issuers: Flagging certificates issued by untrusted or unknown authorities which could be a sign of malicious activity.

3. Enhanced Threat Intelligence:

• Dark Web Presence: ThreatNG's dark web monitoring capabilities provide valuable insights into potential threats, including:

  • Leaked Credentials: Identifying compromised credentials that could be used to gain access to your DNS settings or web applications.

  • Attacker Discussions: Uncover discussions about your organization or industry that might reveal planned attacks, including DNS hijacking attempts.

4. Integration and Collaboration:

• Complementary Solutions: ThreatNG seamlessly integrates with other security solutions to enhance your overall security posture:

  • SIEM/SOAR: Integrate with SIEM/SOAR platforms to automate incident response and threat mitigation.

  • WAF: Work with your Web Application Firewall to block malicious traffic and prevent web application hijacking.

  • Endpoint Security: Collaborate with endpoint security solutions to identify and quarantine malware that could be used to manipulate DNS settings or compromise web applications.

Examples:

• Scenario: An attacker exploits a vulnerability in a company's website to inject malicious JavaScript code that redirects visitors to a phishing site.

  • ThreatNG's Role: Web Application Hijack Susceptibility: ThreatNG identifies the website's vulnerability and alerts the security team.

    1. Domain Intelligence: Detects malicious JavaScript code and flags phishing sites.

    2. Integration with WAF: Triggers the WAF to block malicious redirects and protect users.

• Scenario: An attacker takes over an abandoned subdomain of a company and uses it to host malware.

  • ThreatNG's Role: Subdomain Takeover Susceptibility: Identifies the vulnerable subdomain and alerts the security team.

    1. Subdomain Intelligence: Analyzes the subdomain's content and detects the presence of malware.

    2. Integration with SIEM/SOAR: Automatically isolates the subdomain and blocks access to prevent further infections.

By combining its web application hijacking and subdomain takeover susceptibility assessment capabilities with its comprehensive domain intelligence and threat intelligence, ThreatNG provides a multi-layered defense against DNS hijacking and other cyber threats. This proactive approach helps organizations identify and mitigate risks before they can be exploited, ensuring the integrity and security of their online presence.