DROWNAngriff

DROWNAngriff is a type of cyber attack that targets the Domain Name System (DNS), a critical component of the internet infrastructure. DNS translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. A DROWNAttack exploits vulnerabilities in DNS servers to disrupt or redirect internet traffic.

The term "DROWN" stands for Decrypting RSA with Obsolete and Weakened eNcryption. The attack leverages the use of weak encryption keys in SSL/TLS certificates, which are used to secure communications over the internet. By exploiting these weaknesses, attackers can decrypt intercepted encrypted communications, potentially gaining access to sensitive information.

DROWNAttack specifically targets DNS servers that use weak encryption keys in their SSL/TLS certificates. The attack involves intercepting the communication between a client and a DNS server, then using the weak keys to decrypt the data. This allows the attacker to either disrupt the DNS service or redirect traffic to malicious sites.

The vulnerability was discovered in 2016 and affected a wide range of systems and services. The attack highlighted the importance of using strong encryption standards and regularly updating software to protect against such vulnerabilities. Organizations and individuals were advised to check their SSL/TLS certificates and update them if they used weak encryption keys.