The DNS server implementation, when using PKI-based authentication, must enforce authorized access to the corresponding private key.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-205170	SRG-APP-000176-DNS-000017	SV-205170r961041_rule		Medium

Description
The cornerstone of the PKI is the private key used to encrypt or digitally sign information. If the private key is stolen, this will lead to the compromise of the authentication and non-repudiation gained through PKI because the attacker can use the private key to digitally sign documents and pretend to be the authorized user. Both the holders of a digital certificate and the issuing authority must protect the computers, storage devices, or whatever they use to keep the private keys. SIG(0) is used for server-to-server authentication for DNS transactions, and it uses PKI-based authentication. So, in cases where SIG(0) is being used instead of TSIG (which uses a shared key, not PKI-based authentication), this requirement is applicable.

Description

The cornerstone of the PKI is the private key used to encrypt or digitally sign information. If the private key is stolen, this will lead to the compromise of the authentication and non-repudiation gained through PKI because the attacker can use the private key to digitally sign documents and pretend to be the authorized user. Both the holders of a digital certificate and the issuing authority must protect the computers, storage devices, or whatever they use to keep the private keys. SIG(0) is used for server-to-server authentication for DNS transactions, and it uses PKI-based authentication. So, in cases where SIG(0) is being used instead of TSIG (which uses a shared key, not PKI-based authentication), this requirement is applicable.

STIG	Date
Domain Name System (DNS) Security Requirements Guide	2024-07-02

Details

Check Text ( C-5437r392426_chk )
Review the DNS server implementation configuration to determine if the DNS server, when using PKI-based authentication (e.g., SIG(0)), enforces authorized access to the corresponding private key. If the DNS server does not enforce authorized access to the private key, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-5437r392427_fix)
Configure the DNS server to enforce authorized access to the corresponding private key when using PKI-based authentication.