DNS (Domain Name System)

The Domain Name System (RFCs 1034/1035 and many extensions) is the distributed hierarchical database that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses and other resource records. DNS is critical infrastructure exposed to spoofing, cache poisoning, amplification DDoS, and tunneling-based exfiltration. DNSSEC adds origin authentication, and DoH/DoT add transport encryption between client and resolver.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSecurity ControlsThreats and Attacks

DNS in context

The radio access network is the layer where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations, downgrade attacks and jamming, and defenses hinge on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

Security controls in telecom span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening at the network edge), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both the packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36 and, in Europe, NIS2 sectoral rules.

To place DNS in the wider telecom-security picture, review NTP, A5/0, HTTP/2 Security in 5G, RPKI, FCC and GNSS Spoofing.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

  • Diameter Attacks S6a IDR/PUR/CLR abuse, subscriber tracking, LTE signaling attacks.

More from the TelcoSec Glossary

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