The domain name system (DNS) maps names to addresses so that computers can communicate. The directions within the DNS exist largely in records where a specific name (such as paloaltonetworks.com) is mapped to pieces of data, such as IP addresses (for example, 34.107.151[.]202). As the name suggests, wildcard DNS records are an exception to this pattern: They allow many domain names to be mapped to the same data.
Wildcard records facilitate DNS management in many constructive operations, for example, when a website owner is trying to direct users to an appropriate webpage if the users attempt to access a nonexistent subdomain. However, the flexibility of wildcard records also provides attackers with a variety of options for executing attacks with greater efficiency. Wildcard records allow attackers to easily direct users to malicious hosts via a nearly infinite number of domain names. This potential of wildcard DNS records has led attackers to deploy them for various purposes, including black hat search engine optimization (SEO), phishing campaigns and circumventing network protections. Distinguishing between domains using wildcard records for benign and malicious purposes poses a nontrivial challenge. Here, we describe some of the key characteristics of wildcard DNS abuse, and how recognizing them can help address this challenge.
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Source: Palo Alto/Unit 42