CVE-2005-0817 in Gateway Security
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in the DNSd proxy, as used in Symantec Gateway Security 5400 2.x and 5300 1.x, Enterprise Firewall 7.0.x and 8.x, and VelociRaptor 1100/1200/1300 1.5, allows remote attackers to poison the DNS cache and redirect users to malicious sites.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0817 represents a critical DNS cache poisoning flaw within the DNSd proxy functionality of several Symantec security appliances. This weakness affects multiple product lines including the Symantec Gateway Security 5400 series version 2.x and 5300 series version 1.x, Enterprise Firewall 7.0.x and 8.x, and VelociRaptor 1100/1200/1300 series version 1.5. The issue stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of DNS responses within the proxy component, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the DNS resolution process.
The technical flaw manifests through the DNSd proxy's failure to properly authenticate and validate incoming DNS responses before caching them in the local DNS cache. This vulnerability falls under the category of DNS cache poisoning as defined by CWE-209, where malicious actors can inject false DNS records into the cache system. Attackers exploit this weakness by crafting malicious DNS responses that appear legitimate to the proxy server, thereby tricking it into caching incorrect IP address mappings for target domains. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the DNS resolution mechanism that serves as a fundamental component of internet connectivity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected Symantec appliances. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to redirect users to malicious websites, enabling various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, malware distribution, and man-in-the-middle attacks. The compromised DNS cache can affect all users passing through the affected appliances, potentially disrupting legitimate business operations while simultaneously providing attackers with a persistent foothold for further exploitation. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of integrity in the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized modification of DNS resolution data that forms the backbone of internet communication.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Symantec, which would address the DNS validation weaknesses in the affected DNSd proxy implementations. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous DNS traffic patterns that might indicate cache poisoning attempts. Implementing DNS security extensions such as DNSSEC can provide additional protection layers against such attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for DNS tunneling and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure continued protection against similar DNS-related vulnerabilities that may emerge in network infrastructure components.