CVE-2010-0362 in Zeus Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Zeus Web Server before 4.3r5 does not use random transaction IDs for DNS requests, which makes it easier for remote attackers to spoof DNS responses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2010-0362 affects the Zeus Web Server version 4.3r5 and earlier, presenting a significant security weakness in the server's DNS resolution mechanism. This flaw stems from the server's predictable transaction ID generation process, which violates fundamental security principles for network communications. The issue creates a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks where remote adversaries can exploit the deterministic nature of transaction ID selection to craft spoofed DNS responses that the server will accept as legitimate.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the DNS client implementation within the Zeus Web Server, where transaction IDs are generated using a non-random or pseudo-random algorithm that lacks sufficient entropy. This weakness directly maps to CWE-330, which describes the use of insufficiently random values in security contexts. When the server initiates DNS queries, it assigns transaction IDs that follow predictable patterns, making it possible for attackers positioned in the network path to intercept DNS requests and respond with forged replies using the same transaction IDs that the server expects. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and affects the integrity of DNS resolution processes that are critical for web server operations and secure communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple DNS spoofing capabilities, as it undermines the trust model that secure web communications rely upon. Attackers can leverage this weakness to redirect users to malicious websites, inject false content into web applications, or disrupt legitimate network services by poisoning DNS caches throughout the network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on Zeus Web Server for hosting critical applications, as successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive resources. The ease with which this attack can be executed makes it particularly dangerous in environments where network monitoring is insufficient or where the server operates in less secure network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0362 primarily involve upgrading the Zeus Web Server to version 4.3r5 or later, where the transaction ID generation has been properly randomized. Organizations should also implement additional network security measures including DNS security extensions, DNS over TLS, or DNS over HTTPS to protect against DNS spoofing attacks. Network administrators should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious DNS activity patterns and implement proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful DNS spoofing attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of cryptographic randomness in security implementations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for DNS tunneling and data exfiltration, where predictable identifiers can be exploited to bypass security controls and establish unauthorized communication channels.