CVE-2012-1033 in BIND
Summary
by MITRE
The resolver in ISC BIND 9 through 9.8.1-P1 overwrites cached server names and TTL values in NS records during the processing of a response to an A record query, which allows remote attackers to trigger continued resolvability of revoked domain names via a "ghost domain names" attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1033 represents a critical flaw in the Internet Systems Consortium BIND DNS server software that affects versions 9.0 through 9.8.1-P1. This issue resides within the resolver component of BIND and specifically targets how the software handles caching mechanisms during DNS query processing. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate the DNS cache in a manner that allows previously revoked or expired domain names to remain resolvable, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited for various malicious purposes including phishing attacks and service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the normal processing of DNS responses when BIND receives an A record query response. The resolver incorrectly overwrites cached server names and TTL values in NS (Name Server) records, which creates a condition where outdated or revoked domain information remains accessible in the cache. This behavior stems from improper cache management logic that fails to properly validate or update cache entries when processing responses to different types of DNS queries. The flaw specifically manifests when processing responses to A record queries, where the resolver incorrectly modifies NS record cache entries, leading to the persistence of ghost domain names that should no longer be accessible.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for organizations relying on BIND DNS servers for their network infrastructure. The ability to maintain resolvability of revoked domain names allows attackers to conduct persistent phishing campaigns, redirect traffic to malicious sites, or maintain access to services that should have been decommissioned. The attack vector requires only remote access to send specially crafted DNS responses that trigger the cache corruption behavior, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without direct network access to the target system. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of DNS resolution and can undermine trust in the DNS infrastructure, potentially leading to broader security breaches when compromised domains are used for credential harvesting or malware distribution.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to BIND versions 9.8.1-P2 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the cache handling logic. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as DNS cache poisoning detection mechanisms and monitoring for unusual DNS response patterns. The vulnerability maps to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS, as it exploits fundamental DNS resolution mechanisms to maintain persistent access to compromised domains. Network segmentation and DNS server hardening practices should be implemented to reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments of DNS infrastructure should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could impact the broader DNS ecosystem.