Cyberattacks have become more sophisticated and prevalent these days. Among these attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks such as ARP and DNS poisoning have become a common threat to both consumers and businesses. ARP and DNS poisoning attacks are used to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal data.
In this article, we will compare and contrast these two types of attacks to gain a better understanding of their similarities, differences, and the best ways to protect against them.
ARP Poisoning
ARP Poisoning, also known as ARP Spoofing or ARP Cache Poisoning, is a type of cyberattack that involves altering the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache of a target device to redirect network traffic to a malicious destination. ARP Poisoning attacks can occur on a local network, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), or on a larger scale, such as a WAN (Wide Area Network).
The ARP protocol is used to map an IP address to a physical (MAC) address. In ARP Poisoning, the attacker manipulates the ARP cache of a target device by sending fake ARP packets to associate the attacker’s MAC address with the IP address of another device on the network. As a result, the target device sends its traffic to the attacker’s machine, thinking that it is communicating with the intended device.
ARP Poisoning attacks can have severe consequences. An attacker can intercept sensitive information, such as login credentials, email messages, and financial transactions, by redirecting network traffic to a malicious destination. It can also result in the following:
- Degradation of network performance due to the high volume of unnecessary traffic.
- Network downtime due to the flooding of ARP tables.
- Security breaches leading to data theft and loss.
There are several techniques used for ARP Poisoning, including:Â
- Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack: In this type of attack, the attacker intercepts the communication between two network devices and alters the ARP table of one or both devices to redirect traffic to a malicious destination.Â
- MAC address flooding: In this type of attack, the attacker floods the ARP cache of a target device with fake MAC addresses to overload the ARP table and cause it to behave abnormally.
- MAC address spoofing: In this type of attack, the attacker spoofs the MAC address of a device to trick other devices on the network into sending traffic to the attacker’s machine.
DNS Poisoning
DNS Poisoning, also known as DNS Spoofing or DNS Cache Poisoning, is a type of cyberattack that involves altering the DNS (Domain Name System) cache of a target device to redirect network traffic to a malicious destination. DNS Poisoning attacks can occur on a local network, such as a LAN (Local Area Network), or on a larger scale, such as a WAN (Wide Area Network).
The DNS protocol is used to translate human-readable domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand. In DNS Poisoning, the attacker manipulates the DNS cache of a target device by sending fake DNS responses to associate the attacker’s IP address with the domain name of another website on the network. As a result, the target device sends its traffic to the attacker’s machine, thinking that it is communicating with the intended website.
DNS Poisoning attacks can have severe consequences. An attacker can intercept sensitive information, such as login credentials, email messages, and financial transactions, by redirecting network traffic to a malicious destination. It can also result in the following:
- Degradation of network performance due to the high volume of unnecessary traffic.
- Network downtime due to the flooding of DNS tables.
- Security breaches leading to data theft and loss.
Speaking about techniques, among others are:Â
- DNS Cache Poisoning: In this type of attack, the attacker sends a fake DNS response to a DNS server to insert a fake entry into the server’s DNS cache.
- DNS Spoofing: In this type of attack, the attacker sends a fake DNS response to a target device to manipulate its DNS cache and redirect traffic to a malicious destination.
- DNS Pharming: In this type of attack, the attacker manipulates the DNS server or the user’s hosts file to redirect traffic to a fake website.
Differences Between ARP and DNS Poisoning
ARP Poisoning and DNS Poisoning are two distinct types of cyberattacks that exploit different vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure. Here are some of the main differences between the two:
Comparison of how ARP and DNS Poisoning attacks work
ARP Poisoning attacks manipulate the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) cache of a device to associate the attacker’s MAC address with the IP address of another device on the network. This allows the attacker to intercept network traffic and redirect it to a malicious destination. ARP Poisoning attacks can be executed by sending a fake ARP message to the target device, or by flooding the network with ARP messages to overwhelm the ARP cache.
DNS Poisoning attacks, on the other hand, exploit vulnerabilities in the DNS cache of a device or a DNS server to redirect network traffic to a malicious destination. The attacker can either modify the DNS cache on the victim’s device or intercept and modify DNS responses sent from a DNS server to the victim’s device. DNS Poisoning attacks can also be executed by spoofing DNS responses, where the attacker sends fake DNS responses to the victim’s device, causing it to redirect to a malicious destination.
Differences in attack vectors and targets
ARP Poisoning attacks are typically launched on local networks, such as LANs and Wi-Fi networks. The attacker must have direct access to the target device’s network to carry out the attack. This makes ARP Poisoning attacks more difficult to execute remotely, as the attacker needs to be physically present on the same network as the victim.
DNS Poisoning attacks, on the other hand, can be launched remotely and are not limited to local networks. Attackers can target any device that uses DNS, including desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and servers. DNS Poisoning attacks can also be executed on a larger scale by targeting DNS servers, allowing the attacker to redirect traffic for multiple devices.
Differences in the consequences of ARP and DNS Poisoning
ARP Poisoning attacks can cause severe network disruption and degrade network performance, leading to loss of productivity and revenue. However, they usually do not result in data theft or loss. In some cases, ARP Poisoning attacks can be used as a stepping stone to launch more sophisticated attacks, such as Man-in-the-Middle attacks.
DNS Poisoning attacks, on the other hand, can result in serious data breaches, leading to financial and reputational damage to the victim organization. Attackers can redirect traffic to phishing websites, steal sensitive data, or spread malware to compromise the victim’s network. DNS Poisoning attacks can also be used to launch DDoS attacks, where the attacker floods the victim’s network with traffic from multiple sources, leading to network downtime.
Differences in prevention and mitigation techniques
Organizations can protect against ARP Poisoning attacks by implementing network segmentation, limiting access to the network, and using encryption to protect sensitive data in transit. They can also use ARP spoofing detection tools to detect and block ARP Poisoning attacks.
DNS Poisoning attacks can be prevented by implementing DNSSEC, which provides authentication and integrity to DNS data. Organizations should also use firewalls and intrusion detection systems to detect and block malicious traffic, and conduct regular vulnerability scans to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure. DNS Poisoning attacks can also be mitigated by using DNS-based security solutions, such as DNS firewalls and DNS monitoring tools, which can detect and block malicious DNS activity.
To make it more undersstanable, check the table below!
| Differences | ARP Poisoning | DNS Poisoning |
| Attack method | Manipulates ARP cache to associate attacker’s MAC with victim’s IP | Exploits DNS cache to redirect network traffic |
| Attack location | Local networks, LANs, Wi-Fi networks | Can be launched remotely, not limited to local networks |
| Targets | Devices on the same network | Any device using DNS, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, servers |
| Consequences | Severe network disruption, degraded network performance | Serious data breaches, financial and reputational damage |
| Prevention and mitigation | Network segmentation, access limitation, encryption, ARP spoofing detection | DNSSEC, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, vulnerability scans |
Similarities Between ARP and DNS Poisoning
Despite the differences in the way they operate, ARP Poisoning and DNS Poisoning attacks share some similarities. Here are some of the main similarities between the two:
Similarities in how ARP and DNS Poisoning attacks can be carried out
Both ARP and DNS Poisoning attacks can be carried out using similar techniques, such as spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks. Spoofing involves impersonating a trusted device or server to trick the victim into providing sensitive information or redirecting traffic to a malicious destination. Man-in-the-middle attacks involve intercepting network traffic and redirecting it to a malicious destination.
Similarities in the risks and consequences of ARP and DNS Poisoning
Both ARP and DNS Poisoning attacks can have serious consequences for the victim organization. In both cases, attackers can intercept sensitive data, steal credentials, and redirect traffic to malicious destinations. This can lead to financial and reputational damage, loss of productivity, and legal liabilities.
Similarities in prevention and mitigation techniques
The prevention and mitigation techniques for ARP and DNS Poisoning attacks share some similarities. Both types of attacks can be prevented by implementing encryption to protect sensitive data in transit, using firewalls and intrusion detection systems to detect and block malicious traffic, and conducting regular vulnerability scans to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure.
Conclusion
ARP Poisoning and DNS Poisoning are two distinct types of cyberattacks that exploit different vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure. While they have some similarities in terms of the risks and consequences they pose, there are also significant differences in the way they work, their attack vectors and targets, and the potential consequences of a successful attack.