DNSSEC Validator

The DNSSEC Validator is a tool that verifies the implementation and proper configuration of Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) for a domain. It helps ensure that DNS records are protected against spoofing and tampering by validating the cryptographic signatures in the DNS chain of trust.

DNSSEC Validator Tool

Our DNSSEC Validator tool helps you verify if DNSSEC is properly implemented and configured for your domain.

Use DNSSEC Validator

What is DNSSEC?

Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) is a suite of extensions to DNS that adds an additional layer of security to the domain name system. DNSSEC provides:

Origin Authentication: Verification that DNS data comes from the stated source.
Data Integrity: Assurance that the data has not been modified during transit.
Authenticated Denial of Existence: Proof that a requested DNS record does not exist.

DNSSEC works by digitally signing DNS records using public-key cryptography. These digital signatures are stored in DNS alongside the regular records. DNS resolvers can then verify that the information they receive is identical to the information published by the domain owner and served by the authoritative DNS server.

Why Use DNSSEC?

DNSSEC is essential for protecting against various DNS-based attacks:

Protection Against DNS Spoofing

DNSSEC prevents attackers from redirecting users to fraudulent websites by tampering with DNS responses.

Defense Against Cache Poisoning

DNSSEC ensures that DNS resolvers can detect tampered DNS data, preventing cache poisoning attacks.

Enhanced Email Security

DNSSEC helps secure email by protecting MX records and enabling secure publication of email security records like DKIM and SPF.

Secure Certificate Validation

DNSSEC can secure DANE (DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities) records, which provide an additional layer of verification for SSL/TLS certificates.

Protection for Critical Infrastructure

DNSSEC is particularly important for domains handling sensitive information or critical infrastructure.

How DNSSEC Works

DNSSEC uses a hierarchical system of cryptographic signatures to establish a chain of trust from the DNS root down to individual domain records:

Key Pairs

DNSSEC uses two types of key pairs:

Zone Signing Key (ZSK): Used to sign the actual DNS records in a zone.
Key Signing Key (KSK): Used to sign the ZSK and establish the chain of trust with the parent zone.

Digital Signatures

For each DNS record type in a zone, DNSSEC adds a corresponding RRSIG (Resource Record Signature) record. This signature is created using the zone's private key and can be verified using the zone's public key.

Chain of Trust

DNSSEC establishes a chain of trust from the DNS root down to individual domains:

The root zone's public key is widely distributed and trusted.
The root zone signs the public keys of TLD zones (like .com, .org).
TLD zones sign the public keys of second-level domains.
This continues down to the specific domain being queried.

Validation Process

When a DNSSEC-aware resolver queries a DNSSEC-signed zone:

It receives both the requested DNS records and their corresponding RRSIG records.
It also receives the DNSKEY records containing the zone's public keys.
The resolver verifies the signatures on the records using these public keys.
It then verifies the zone's public keys by checking signatures in the parent zone, continuing up the chain of trust.

DS Records

Delegation Signer (DS) records are published in the parent zone and contain a hash of a child zone's KSK. This creates the link in the chain of trust between parent and child zones.

Key DNSSEC Record Types

Record Type	Description	Purpose
DNSKEY	Contains the public keys used to verify signatures	Provides the public keys (ZSK and KSK) used to verify the signatures on DNS records
RRSIG	Resource Record Signature	Contains the digital signature for a specific DNS record set
DS	Delegation Signer	Published in the parent zone to establish the chain of trust to the child zone
NSEC/NSEC3	Next Secure	Provides authenticated denial of existence for DNS records that don't exist
CDS/CDNSKEY	Child DS/DNSKEY	Used for key rollovers and to signal to the parent zone that the DS record should be updated

How to Use the DNSSEC Validator

Enter Your Domain: Input the domain name you want to check (e.g., example.com).
Run the Validation: Click the "Validate DNSSEC" button to initiate the analysis.
Review Results: The tool will display a comprehensive report including:
- DNSSEC implementation status
- Validation of the DNSSEC chain of trust
- Details of DNSKEY, DS, and RRSIG records
- Key algorithms and key lengths used
- Signature expiration dates
- Any issues or vulnerabilities detected
Address Issues: If any issues are identified, follow the provided recommendations to resolve them.

Interpreting DNSSEC Validator Results

DNSSEC Properly Implemented

The domain has DNSSEC correctly implemented with a valid chain of trust from the root to the domain. All signatures are valid and not expired.

DNSSEC Partially Implemented

DNSSEC is configured but there are issues such as missing DS records in the parent zone, which breaks the chain of trust.

Expiring Signatures

DNSSEC is implemented but signatures are approaching their expiration date and should be renewed soon.

DNSSEC Not Implemented

The domain does not have DNSSEC implemented. No DNSKEY or RRSIG records are present.

Invalid Signatures

DNSSEC is implemented but signatures are invalid or expired, which breaks the security model.

Broken Chain of Trust

There's a break in the DNSSEC chain of trust, such as mismatched DS and DNSKEY records.

DNSSEC Best Practices

Use Strong Algorithms

Implement DNSSEC using modern, strong cryptographic algorithms like RSASHA256 (algorithm 8) or ECDSAP256SHA256 (algorithm 13).

Regular Key Rotation

Implement a regular key rotation schedule. ZSKs should be rotated more frequently (e.g., quarterly) than KSKs (e.g., annually).

Monitor Signature Expiration

Set up monitoring for DNSSEC signature expiration dates to ensure signatures are renewed before they expire.

Secure Key Management

Implement secure processes for generating, storing, and managing DNSSEC private keys. Consider using Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) for critical domains.

Test Before Deployment

Test DNSSEC implementation thoroughly before deploying to production. Use tools like our DNSSEC Validator to verify correct implementation.

Implement NSEC3 with Opt-Out

For zones with many delegations, consider using NSEC3 with opt-out to reduce zone size and improve performance.

Regular Validation

Regularly validate your DNSSEC implementation to ensure it remains secure and properly configured.

Common DNSSEC Issues

Missing DS Records

The domain has DNSKEY records but no corresponding DS records in the parent zone, breaking the chain of trust.

Expired Signatures

RRSIG records have expired, causing validation failures. This often happens when signature refresh processes fail.

Mismatched DS and DNSKEY Records

The DS record in the parent zone doesn't match any DNSKEY in the child zone, breaking the chain of trust.

Clock Skew Issues

Validation failures due to time differences between signing and validating servers. Ensure all servers have synchronized clocks.

Incomplete Signing

Not all record types in the zone are signed, leading to inconsistent validation results.

Key Rollover Problems

Issues during key rotation processes, such as removing old keys before new ones are fully propagated.

Pro Tip

When implementing DNSSEC, start with a test domain before deploying to production domains. This allows you to gain experience with the DNSSEC implementation and key management processes without risking availability of critical domains.

Next Steps

To further enhance your domain's security, consider exploring these related tools and resources:

DNS Security Scan - Comprehensive DNS security analysis
SSL Certificate Checker - Verify SSL certificates and encryption
Domain Reputation Checker - Check domain blacklisting status
DNS Security Best Practices - Comprehensive guide to securing your DNS

Ready to check your domain's DNSSEC implementation? Use our DNSSEC Validator tool now.