ACME DNS Challenge Scanner
This scanner detects the use of ACME DNS Challenge in digital assets. It ensures that ACME DNS challenge records used by Let's Encrypt and other certificate authorities are identified.
Short Info
Level
Single Scan
Single Scan
Can be used by
Asset Owner
Estimated Time
10 seconds
Time Interval
8 days 19 hours
Scan only one
Domain, Subdomain, IPv4
Toolbox
ACME DNS Challenge is a mechanism used for domain ownership verification, particularly in the context of obtaining SSL/TLS certificates from Let's Encrypt and similar services. This detection is crucial for organizations utilizing automated certificate management, as it helps ensure that their DNS zones are correctly configured. It is employed by web administrators and IT security teams to maintain the integrity of their domain verification processes. The scanner plays a vital role in identifying ACME DNS challenge records, which are essential for the seamless operation of certificate issuance workflows.
The detected vulnerability, in this case, refers to the presence of specific ACME DNS challenge records that may indicate either proper configuration for certificate issuance or expose the system to potential misuse. Identifying these records helps administrators verify that their DNS configurations are intact and free from unauthorized changes. The scanner focuses on ensuring that ACME challenges do not leave the system susceptible to exploitation by third parties attempting unauthorized certificate issuance.
Technical aspects of this detection involve querying DNS records to find TXT entries formatted in a specific way, typically utilized by ACME challenge processes. The endpoint targeted by the detection consists of the _acme-challenge subdomain, where the corresponding records are expected to be found. The scanner checks for the presence of these TXT records, which contain verification tokens necessary for certificate authorities to authenticate domain ownership. This thorough examination ensures that any susceptible configurations are promptly flagged for further review.
The potential impact of an improperly configured or exposed ACME DNS challenge can lead to unauthorized certificate issuance. Malicious actors might exploit such vulnerabilities to engage in man-in-the-middle attacks or domain hijacking. Ensuring the correct setup and visibility of these DNS records helps prevent security breaches related to certificate authority validation processes.
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