CVE-2017-7557 in dnsdist
Summary
by MITRE
dnsdist version 1.1.0 is vulnerable to a flaw in authentication mechanism for REST API potentially allowing CSRF attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7557 affects dnsdist version 1.1.0 and represents a critical weakness in the authentication mechanism for its REST API interface. This flaw creates a potential pathway for cross-site request forgery attacks that could compromise the security of DNS infrastructure. The issue stems from insufficient validation of API requests, allowing malicious actors to potentially execute unauthorized operations against the dnsdist server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the REST API authentication handling within dnsdist 1.1.0. The system fails to properly validate the source of API requests, meaning that authenticated requests can be forged or manipulated by attackers who have access to the network. This weakness operates under CWE-352 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, where the application does not adequately verify the origin of requests. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to trick authenticated users into executing unintended actions against the dnsdist server, potentially leading to unauthorized configuration changes or data manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential disruption of DNS services and compromise of network infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this weakness to modify DNS configurations, redirect traffic, or even inject malicious DNS responses into the network. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on dnsdist for DNS traffic management, as the compromised system could become a vector for larger-scale attacks or service disruption. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where the REST API is exposed to untrusted networks or where administrative access is not properly segmented from user-facing services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7557 should prioritize immediate patching of dnsdist to versions that address the authentication flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to the REST API interface, ensuring that only trusted administrative systems can reach the API endpoints. Additional protective measures include implementing proper API request validation, utilizing secure authentication mechanisms such as API tokens with proper expiration, and monitoring API access logs for suspicious activity patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where adversaries may manipulate DNS infrastructure through compromised management interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and ensuring that the REST API is not exposed to unnecessary network segments, following principle of least privilege methodologies to minimize attack surface.