Cache poisoning is a common malicious attack against DNS servers, where hackers insert fake data into the server to direct users to unintended websites. Hackers can use various methods to poison DNS caches and target specific sites to steal user information or infect them with malware.
Cache poisoning is the term used to describe a common malicious attack against domain name servers (DNS). When poisoning a DNS cache, the hacker is basically putting fake data into the DNS server, which can direct people to websites they had no intention of visiting. Certain vulnerabilities have made it difficult for DNS operators to defend against this type of attack, and hackers have many ways to use this approach for nefarious purposes.
The DNS system can be seen as an intermediary between the Internet and users. When people type in a World Wide Web address, it is usually sent to a local DNS server, which determines the Internet Protocol (IP) address for that website. Internet Protocol addresses are a series of numbers, each between one and three digits, separated by periods. In many cases, local DNS servers may not have all addresses stored locally, so they may be contacting a master server to obtain IP addresses for many requests.
Cache poisoning attacks usually focus on local DNS servers rather than master servers, in part because they aren’t always so well protected. There are many different ways a hacker can poison a DNS cache. For example, if the individual has physical access to the DNS server, he could simply modify the cache directly. Another approach is for the hacker to spam the server with fake responses formatted as if they came from a master server. Local DNS servers can have a lot of trouble distinguishing between genuine and fake answers, so they might just believe the answers in question are real and add them to the cache.
DNS cache poisoning can sometimes be quite random, but hackers often target specific sites. When a hacker targets a specific site, their goal may be to create a fake website that looks identical. This can be used to steal valuable user information such as passwords and other things.
Another purpose of cache poisoning could be to direct people to websites contaminated with malware. This can include anything from spyware to keyloggers and other software that violates an individual’s privacy. Often web users are cautious and smart in avoiding malware infection, but when they visit trustworthy websites, they might be less vigilant. Hackers are often able to use cache poisoning to make users think they are visiting trustworthy websites when in fact they are not.
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