CAPEC Definitions

    CAPEC Definitions / CAPEC-481

    CAPEC-481: Contradictory Destinations in Traffic Routing Schemes

    Adversaries can provide contradictory destinations when sending messages. Traffic is routed in networks using the domain names in various headers available at different levels of the OSI model. In a Content Delivery Network (CDN) multiple domains might be available, and if there are contradictory domain names provided it is possible to route traffic to an inappropriate destination. The technique, called Domain Fronting, involves using different domain names in the SNI field of the TLS header and the Host field of the HTTP header. An alternative technique, called Domainless Fronting, is similar, but the SNI field is left blank.

    Severity:High
    Possibility:Medium

    Extended Description

    No Extended Description.

    Mitigations

    Monitor connections, checking headers in traffic for contradictory domain names, or empty domain names.

    Relationships with other CAPECs

    CAPEC-161: Infrastructure Manipulation

    Prerequisites

    An adversary must be aware that their message will be routed using a CDN, and that both of the contradictory domains are served from that CDN.

    If the purpose of the Domain Fronting is to hide redirected C2 traffic, the C2 server must have been created in the CDN.

    Related Weaknesses

    CWE-923: Improper Restriction of Communication Channel to Intended Endpoints