CVE-2001-1364 in AutoDNS
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in autodns.pl for AutoDNS before 0.0.4 related to domain names that are not fully qualified.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2001-1364 affects the autodns.pl script component of AutoDNS software versions prior to 0.0.4, representing a significant security flaw in domain name resolution mechanisms. This issue specifically targets the handling of domain names that are not fully qualified, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to manipulate DNS resolution processes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and processing of domain name strings, particularly when they lack the complete qualified domain name structure required for proper DNS resolution.
The technical flaw manifests when the autodns.pl script processes domain names that do not contain the complete domain hierarchy including the root domain separator. This incomplete domain name handling creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the parsing logic and potentially redirect traffic or manipulate DNS responses. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically within DNS resolution utilities, and can be classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" with potential implications for CWE-120 "Buffer Copy without Maximum Size Check" if buffer overflows occur during processing. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input before it is processed within the DNS resolution framework.
Operationally, this vulnerability can have severe consequences for systems relying on AutoDNS for domain management and resolution services. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform domain hijacking, redirect traffic to malicious servers, or disrupt legitimate DNS resolution processes. The impact extends beyond simple traffic redirection as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as DNS cache poisoning or man-in-the-middle scenarios. Systems utilizing AutoDNS software versions before 0.0.4 are particularly vulnerable, as the flaw exists in the core domain name processing logic rather than in network protocols or lower-level system components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for environments where DNS resolution is critical for service availability and security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1364 should prioritize immediate upgrading to AutoDNS version 0.0.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the domain name handling flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures for all domain name entries, ensuring that all processed domain names conform to fully qualified domain name standards before being processed by the autodns.pl script. Network administrators should also consider implementing DNS monitoring solutions to detect anomalous domain resolution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, and represents a potential entry point for broader network infiltration campaigns. Additionally, implementing proper domain name validation at multiple layers of the network infrastructure can provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where legacy DNS resolution tools are still in use.