DNS Resolver Shielding for Authoritative Name Server DDoS Attacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

DNS distributed denial of service attacks degrade the performance of authoritative name servers by overwhelming them with malicious DNS queries.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that transitions DNS resolvers to a partially disabled state when a DNS DDOS attack is detected, treating domains within the affected group as unavailable and reducing the burden on authoritative name servers by refraining from forwarding queries to them, while maintaining normal operation for other groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the DNS resolver forwards all DNS queries to the authoritative name server, then query resolution accuracy is maintained, but the authoritative name server becomes vulnerable to DDoS attacks and performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequery resolution accuracyVSAvoidDDoS attack impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The DNS resolver operates in a partially disabled state where it selectively forwards only legitimate DNS queries to the authoritative name server while blocking malicious queries. This partial action maintains necessary query resolution functionality while protecting against DDoS attacks, resolving the contradiction between maintaining accuracy and preventing attack impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The DNS resolver acts as an intermediary between client devices and the authoritative name server. It mediates query forwarding by examining domain names, comparing them against lists of malicious and legitimate domains, and selectively forwarding only legitimate queries. This intermediary function protects the authoritative name server from DDoS attacks while maintaining accurate resolution for legitimate domains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the DNS resolver blocks queries for domains in the partially disabled state, then the authoritative name server is protected from malicious queries, but legitimate queries for those domains may be incorrectly blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalicious query filteringVSAvoidlegitimate query delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The DNS resolver dynamically transitions between normal operating mode and partially disabled state based on detected attack patterns. When a DDoS attack is detected targeting specific domains, the resolver enters partially disabled state for those domains, blocking malicious queries while allowing legitimate ones. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting blocking behavior based on real-time threat assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor DNS query patterns and detect DDoS attacks. When malicious query patterns are detected, the resolver adjusts its behavior by entering partially disabled state. The feedback loop continuously monitors query legitimacy and allows the resolver to correct blocking decisions, ensuring legitimate queries are not permanently blocked while maintaining protection against malicious queries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12634339B2Systems and methods for protection of authoritative name servers
Publication Date: 2026.05.19 LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS LLC
  • US12634339B2 patent drawing
  • US12634339B2 patent drawing
  • US12634339B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In a network, Domain Name Service (DNS) queries may be handled by one or more resolvers and one or more authoritative name servers. If a DNS distributed denial of service attack is launched against the network, it may degrade the performance of the authoritative name servers. As such, systems and methods for protection of authoritative name servers are provided.