Adversaries may communicate using the Domain Name System (DNS) application layer protocol to avoid detection/network filtering by blending in with existing traffic. Commands to the remote system, and often the results of those commands, will be embedded within the protocol traffic between the client and server.
The DNS protocol serves an administrative function in computer networking and thus may be very common in environments. DNS traffic may also be allowed even before network authentication is completed. DNS packets contain many fields and headers in which data can be concealed. Often known as DNS tunneling, adversaries may abuse DNS to communicate with systems under their control within a victim network while also mimicking normal, expected traffic.(Citation: PAN DNS Tunneling)(Citation: Medium DnsTunneling)
View in MITRE ATT&CK®| Capability ID | Capability Description | Mapping Type | ATT&CK ID | ATT&CK Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I&S-03 | Network Security | mitigates | T1071.004 | DNS |
Comments
This control provides for monitoring, encrypting, and restricting communications between environments. Network intrusion detection and prevention systems that use network signatures to identify traffic for specific malware can be used to mitigate activity at the network level, such as adversary use of the Domain Name System (DNS) application layer protocol to embed commands.
References
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| I&S-09 | Network Defense | mitigates | T1071.004 | DNS |
Comments
This control provides for the implementation of defense-in-depth network security controls for securing the cloud environment. Network intrusion detection and prevention systems that use network signatures to identify traffic for specific malware can be used to mitigate activity at the network level, such as adversary use of the Domain Name System (DNS) application layer protocol to embed commands.
References
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