Title

The DNS server implementation must authenticate the other DNS server before responding to a server-to-server transaction. (Cat II impact)

Discussion

Without authenticating devices, unidentified or unknown devices may be introduced, thereby facilitating malicious activity. Device authentication is a solution enabling an organization to manage devices. It is an additional layer of authentication ensuring only specific pre-authorized devices can access the system. 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 the other DNS server before responding to a server-to-server transaction. If the DNS server does not authenticate the other DNS server, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the DNS server to authenticate the other DNS server before responding to a server-to-server transaction.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-205203r961503_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-205203

Group Title: SRG-APP-000394

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

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