This sophisticated attack can be difficult to detect and prevent

What Is A DNS Tunneling Attack?

As our digital lives become more intertwined, cybersecurity threats evolve and become more complex. DNS tunneling is one of the threats used by cybercriminals to bypass traditional security measures and perform malicious activities.

What Is DNS & How Does It Work?

To begin understanding what a DNS tunneling attack is, we must gain an understanding of DNS is and how it functions. Domain Name System (DNS) is the core element of a DNS tunneling attack and is the internet’s “phone book” of all website addresses and apps currently being used. Whenever you visit a website like “amazon.com”, your computer, phone, or tablet sends a request to a DNS server. The DNS server then translations the website address into an IP address. The IP address, a numeric code that identifies the server hosting the website you want to visit, is essentially the websites “fingerprint” so that the right website is delivered to you. This occurs each time you browse a website or use an internet-connected app.

DNS Tunneling Process

DNS tunneling is a technique used by cybercriminals to exploit the DNS protocol by using it to transmit data that would normally be prohibited by traditional security measures. Attackers essentially use the DNS resolver to route queries to their own C2 (command and control) server, which contains a tunneling program. After a link has been established between the victim and the attacker via the DNS resolver, the tunnel can be leveraged to steal data or execute other malicious actions. [view source].

DNS tunneling typically consists of several steps. The cybercriminal first registers a domain, such as malsite.com, and configures a name server that points to their own server, which contains the tunneling malware software. This software is intended to encode and transmit data via DNS queries and responses, thereby establishing a covert communication channel between the attacker and the victim. This connection is then used for data theft (like usernames and passwords) and even DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks. [view source].

How To Protect Yourself from A DNS Tunneling Attack

DNS tunneling attacks are difficult to detect and prevent because they frequently exploit legitimate DNS traffic and leave no trace of malicious activity. However, organizations and individuals can take several precautions to protect themselves from this type of attack. These are some examples:

Using DNS filtering or firewall technologies to detect and block suspicious DNS traffic.

Using strong authentication and access controls to limit the impact of compromised credentials.

Examine network traffic for unusual DNS activity, such as a large number of requests to the same domain.

Updating software and operating systems with the most recent security patches and updates.

Educating employees and users about the dangers of phishing and other social engineering attacks that could be used to obtain sensitive information <<SEE TRAINING SERVICES >>

DNS tunneling is an advanced technique used by cybercriminals to circumvent traditional security measures and carry out malicious activities. By learning the mechanics of this assault and taking precautions against it, we can assist to keep our digital lives safe and secure. Today’s linked world makes it especially important to be aware of and prepared for the latest cybersecurity risks.

Are You Prepared to Block DNS Tunneling Attacks On Your Organization?

Aumakua Technical Solutions, LLC. (ATS) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB), Minority-Owned, and Native Hawai’ian Owned Small Business based in Maryland.

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