DNScachepoisoning

DNS cache poisoning, also known as DNS spoofing, is a type of cyberattack that exploits vulnerabilities in the Domain Name System (DNS) to redirect internet traffic. Attackers inject falsified DNS records into a DNS resolver's cache. This cache normally stores recent DNS lookup results to speed up future requests. When a user attempts to access a legitimate website, the poisoned DNS resolver provides the attacker's falsified IP address instead of the correct one. This directs the user to a malicious website controlled by the attacker, which might be designed to steal credentials, distribute malware, or conduct other harmful activities.

The goal of DNS cache poisoning is to impersonate legitimate websites. Attackers often target DNS servers that are widely used or have weak security measures. The attack can be difficult to detect as the user's request appears to be a normal DNS lookup. Once the cache is poisoned, all users relying on that resolver will be affected until the poisoned record expires or is manually cleared. Mitigation strategies include using DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) which provides authentication for DNS data, implementing DNS server security best practices, and regularly monitoring DNS logs for suspicious activity.