Article Microsoft

How to Prevent DNS Cache Pollution

The information in this article applies to:
 

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

IMPORTANT : This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.
 

SUMMARY

DNS cache pollution can occur if Domain Name System (DNS) "spoofing" has been encountered. The term "spoofing" describes the sending of non-secure data in response to a DNS query. It can be used to redirect queries to a rogue DNS server and can be malicious in nature.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING : Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT or Windows 2000, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).
 

Windows NT 4.0

With Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4 (SP4) or later, a Windows NT-based DNS server can filter out the responses for these non-secure records.

To enable this feature:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
    
2. Locate the following key in the registry:
    

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\DNS\Parameters

3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value , and then add the following registry value:
    

   Value Name : SecureResponses
   Data Type : REG_DWORD
   Value : 1 (To eliminate non-secure data)

4. Quit Registry Editor.
    

By default, this key does not exist and non-secure data is not eliminated from responses.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q198409 Microsoft DNS Server Registry Parameters, Part 2 of 3

Windows 2000

A Windows 2000-based DNS server can filter out the responses for these non-secure records.

To enable this feature:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
    
2. Locate the following key in the registry:
    

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\DNS\Parameters

3. On the Edit menu, click Add Value , and then add the following registry value:
    

   Value Name : SecureResponses
   Data Type : REG_DWORD
   Value : 1 (To eliminate non-secure data)

4. Quit Registry Editor.
    

By default, this key does not exist and non-secure data is not eliminated from responses.

NOTE : On Windows 2000, you can perform the same entry in the GUI. Use the following steps to do this:
 

1. Open DNS Management Console by clicking Start , Programs , Adminstrative Tools , DNS .
    
2. Right click on the server name in the left window pane.
    
3. Choose Properties.
    
4. Choose the Advanced tab.
    
5. Place a check in the box "Secure cache against pollution".