Wildcard DNS Records
Wildcard DNS Records, in the context of security and cybersecurity, refer to a type of DNS record used to route requests for multiple subdomains under a specific domain to a shared location or IP address. These records are represented by an asterisk (*) symbol in the subdomain field and act as a catch-all for any subdomain that does not have a specific DNS record defined. While wildcard DNS records have legitimate uses, they can introduce security considerations:
Subdomain Enumeration: Wildcard DNS records sometimes make it easier for attackers to enumerate subdomains under a domain, as any random subdomain may resolve to the exact location. This gives attackers more information about an organization's digital assets and potentially aids in reconnaissance.
Phishing and Subdomain Takeover: Misconfigured wildcard DNS records can be exploited for phishing attacks or subdomain takeover vulnerabilities. Attackers can create arbitrary subdomains, potentially leading to impersonation of legitimate services and tricking users into providing sensitive information.
SSL Certificate Management: Wildcard DNS records often necessitate using wildcard SSL certificates covering multiple subdomains. Properly managing these certificates is essential to prevent unauthorized subdomain issuance, which can lead to man-in-the-middle attacks.
To ensure the secure use of wildcard DNS records, organizations should implement strict access controls, closely monitor their DNS configurations, and regularly review wildcard records to verify they are correctly configured and do not inadvertently expose security vulnerabilities. Properly managed wildcard DNS records can help simplify subdomain management while minimizing security risks.
ThreatNG: Managing External Attack Surface with Wildcard DNS Focus
ThreatNG is a comprehensive platform that tackles external attack surface management (EASM), digital risk protection (DRP), and security ratings. It offers a robust "Domain Intelligence Investigation Module" armed with various functionalities to identify and address security risks associated with your organization's external presence.
How ThreatNG Handles Wildcard DNS Records
Here's how ThreatNG tackles Wildcard DNS records, a potential vulnerability:
Domain Intelligence Investigation Module: This module plays a key role. It includes functionalities like:
DNS Intelligence: Discovers and analyzes all DNS records, including wildcard records.
Subdomain Intelligence: Identifies all subdomains associated with your primary domain, which is crucial for wildcard DNS analysis.
Web Application Hijacking and Subdomain Takeover Susceptibility Analysis: ThreatNG assesses your domain's vulnerability to these attacks, which misconfigured wildcard records can facilitate.
Workflow:
ThreatNG scans your domain and subdomains using its Domain Intelligence tools.
It identifies the presence and configuration of wildcard DNS records.
The platform analyzes the configuration to identify potential vulnerabilities, like the ability to create arbitrary subdomains.
ThreatNG then assesses the risk of Web Application Hijacking and Subdomain Takeover based on wildcard configuration and other factors.
Complementary Solutions: ThreatNG integrates with security solutions like firewalls or intrusion detection systems (IDS). The handoff occurs when ThreatNG identifies a vulnerability. It can:
Provide a detailed report to security analysts for further investigation and remediation.
Trigger automated responses in some integrated systems, such as blocking suspicious subdomain traffic.
Example:
Imagine you have a website (example.com) with a wildcard DNS record. ThreatNG scans your domain and discovers the wildcard record. It then analyzes the configuration and finds that it allows for creating any subdomain (e.g., [invalid URL removed]). ThreatNG raises an alert, highlighting the potential for a subdomain takeover attack. This information is then passed on to your security team for mitigation strategies.
By combining these functionalities, ThreatNG empowers organizations to manage wildcard DNS records effectively and proactively address associated security risks.
