CVE-2001-1452 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
By default, DNS servers on Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server cache glue records received from non-delegated name servers, which allows remote attackers to poison the DNS cache via spoofed DNS responses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1452 represents a critical DNS cache poisoning weakness affecting Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Server systems. This flaw stems from the default configuration of DNS servers that indiscriminately cache glue records from non-delegated name servers without proper validation mechanisms. The issue creates a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate DNS resolution processes by injecting malicious spoofed responses into the cache, potentially redirecting users to malicious websites or disrupting network services. This vulnerability specifically targets the fundamental trust mechanisms within DNS resolution where servers should verify the authenticity of records before caching them.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the DNS server's handling of glue records, which are IP address records that accompany domain name records to help resolve names without requiring additional queries. When a DNS server receives glue records from authoritative name servers that are not properly delegated, it caches these records without sufficient validation checks. This behavior creates an attack surface where malicious actors can craft spoofed DNS responses that appear legitimate to the caching server, leading to the injection of false IP addresses into the DNS cache. The flaw operates at the protocol level, leveraging the inherent trust relationships within DNS infrastructure to bypass normal security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2001-1452 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass significant security risks including man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing attempts, and potential system compromise through malicious redirection. When attackers successfully poison the DNS cache, they can redirect traffic intended for legitimate websites to malicious equivalents, enabling credential theft, malware distribution, and other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on these older Windows server versions, creating persistent security risks that could remain undetected for extended periods. This type of attack can compromise entire network infrastructures by affecting multiple systems that depend on the poisoned DNS records for name resolution.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling unnecessary DNS caching features, implementing DNS security extensions, and deploying proper network monitoring to detect anomalous DNS behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses issues related to improper handling of DNS cache poisoning scenarios, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS. Effective remediation requires updating DNS server configurations to validate glue records more rigorously, implementing DNSSEC to provide cryptographic authentication of DNS data, and establishing regular monitoring of DNS cache contents for suspicious entries. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to identify and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability.