Title

The DNS server implementation must authenticate another DNS server before establishing a remote and/or network connection using bidirectional authentication that is cryptographically based. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Without authenticating devices, unidentified or unknown devices may be introduced, thereby facilitating malicious activity. Bidirectional authentication provides stronger safeguards to validate the identity of other devices for connections that are of greater risk. This requirement applies to server-to-server (zone transfer) transactions only and is provided by TSIG/SIG(0), which enforces mutual server authentication using a key that is unique to each server pair (TSIG) or using PKI-based authentication (SIG(0)).

Check Content

Review the DNS server implementation configuration to determine if the DNS server authenticates another DNS server before establishing a remote and/or network connection using bidirectional authentication that is cryptographically based. If the DNS server does not authenticate another DNS server before establishing a connection, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the DNS server to authenticate another DNS server before establishing a remote and/or network connection using bidirectional authentication that is cryptographically based.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-205204r879768_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-205204

Group Title: SRG-APP-000395

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.