Overview
DNS Hijacking is a type of malicious attack where attackers change the domain name records, redirecting traffic meant for legitimate websites to malicious sites or phishing pages. By manipulating the DNS records, attackers can intercept and control the traffic, leading to serious consequences for both businesses and users.
Business & Technical Impact: From a business perspective, DNS Hijacking causes financial losses, brand damage, and loss of customer trust. Redirected users may fall victim to phishing attacks, data theft, impersonations or malware infections. Technically, it disrupts services, compromises sensitive information, and leads to unauthorized access to corporate networks.
Risk Exposure: Organizations without proper DNS security measures are at a higher risk of DNS Hijacking. Vulnerabilities in domain configurations, lack of DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) adoption, and inadequate monitoring of DNS records increase the likelihood of such attacks. The impact can be widespread, affecting not just the targeted domain but also associated services and users.
Incident Response
Immediate Action: Upon DNS Hijacking detection, act swiftly to minimize damage.
- Identifying and verifying the unauthorized DNS changes.
- Reverting the DNS records to their original, legitimate state.
- Isolating affected systems to prevent further compromise.
Roles: A coordinated response involving multiple roles is essential:
- Incident Response Team: Leads the investigation and remediation efforts.
- Cyber/IT and Network Teams: Implement technical measures to restore DNS integrity and secure the network.
- Communications Team: Manages internal and external communication to inform stakeholders and maintain transparency and trust.
Communication Strategy: Effective communication is key to managing the incident and maintaining user trust. Steps include:
- Notifying affected users and stakeholders promptly with clear and transparent information.
- Provide guidance to users to protect against phishing or malware threats.
- Regularly updating stakeholders on the incident status and resolution efforts.
Remediation & Future Prevention
Root Cause Analysis: Conducting root cause analysis identifies how the DNS Hijacking occurred, reviewing DNS logs, configurations, and security controls. Referring to past similar incidents would give great insights into the methodology of such attacks.
Recovery: Recovery efforts focus on restoring normal operations and preventing recurrence. These include:
- Ensuring all DNS records are accurate and secure.
- Validating the integrity of affected systems and data.
- Implementing patches and updates to address identified vulnerabilities.
Preventive Measures: To prevent future DNS Hijacking attacks, organizations should adopt the following measures:
- Implement DNSSEC to add an extra layer of security, ensuring that DNS responses are authentic.
- Continuously monitor DNS records and configurations for unauthorized changes.
- Centralize or limit DNS access, apply the principle of least privilege, and ensure only authorized personnel with MFA can modify DNS settings.
- Establish and test processes for quickly reverting DNS changes in case of an attack.
- Leveraging DNS threat intelligence provides deeper threat insights and control. Key practical steps that can be taken on SIEM to detect DNS hijacking are Monitor DNS Query Patterns, Detect Unauthorized DNS Changes, Identify rogue connections, and Tune SIEM.
- Develop strategies to rebuild trust.
By understanding the scenario and impact of DNS Hijacking, responding effectively, and implementing robust preventive measures, organizations can protect themselves and their users from the severe consequences of such attacks.
