Learn what DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) is, how it works, and how to implement it for your network. DANE can improve the security and reliability of your online services.

DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) works by allowing domain owners to specify digital certificates or public keys directly in their DNS records. This enables DNS to serve as a secure repository for certificate information, enhancing the trustworthiness of TLS connections. When a client attempts to establish a secure connection, it can verify the authenticity of the server's certificate by checking the DNS records associated with the domain name. DANE strengthens security by reducing reliance on traditional certificate authorities and mitigating risks associated with certificate manipulation or misissuance.

What is DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) and how do you implement it?

DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) is a protocol that allows you to use the Domain Name System (DNS) to securely verify the identity and trustworthiness of online services, such as web servers, email servers, or VPN servers. DANE can improve the security and reliability of your network communication by preventing common attacks, such as man-in-the-middle, spoofing, or certificate authority compromise. In this article, you will learn what DANE is, how it works, and how you can implement it for your own network.

1 What is DANE?

DANE is an extension of the DNS protocol that uses DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) to store and validate cryptographic certificates or public keys for online services. DNSSEC is a set of standards that adds digital signatures to DNS records, ensuring their authenticity and integrity. DANE leverages DNSSEC to bind the certificates or keys of online services to their domain names, creating a secure link between the name and the entity. This way, when you connect to an online service, you can use DANE to verify that you are talking to the right entity and that the connection is encrypted.

Add your perspective

Elcio Faria

Gestão de Projetos | Analista de Projetos Ágil | Planejamento | Gestão de Infraestrutura | Projetos de TI | Metodologias Ágeis | Scrum
Report contribution
A autenticação baseada em DNS de entidades nomeadas, ou DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE), é um protocolo que utiliza registros DNS para verificar a autenticidade e a integridade das comunicações pela Internet. O DNS é o sistema que traduz nomes de domínio legíveis por humanos em endereços IP utilizados pelos computadores e servidores para se comunicarem. No contexto do DANE, o DNS é estendido para incluir informações adicionais, como certificados digitais, que são usados para autenticar os servidores e garantir a segurança das conexões. Normalmente, a autenticação é realizada por meio de certificados digitais emitidos por Autoridades de Certificação (CAs).

Translated

Like

2 How does DANE work?

DANE works by adding a new type of DNS record called TLSA (Transport Layer Security Authentication) that contains information about the certificate or key of an online service. The TLSA record specifies the protocol, the port, and the usage of the certificate or key, as well as its hash or full value. The TLSA record is then signed by DNSSEC, creating a chain of trust from the root zone of the DNS hierarchy to the online service. When you connect to an online service that supports DANE, your client (such as a web browser, an email client, or a VPN client) can query the DNS for the TLSA record of the service and compare it with the certificate or key presented by the service. If they match, the client can establish a secure connection with the service. If they do not match, the client can reject the connection or warn you about a possible security issue.

Add your perspective

Deepika A

Google Certified Data Analyst | IBM Certified ML Engineer | CCNA | Kaggle 3x Expert| Problem Solver - Bronze Badge @Codechef | Student at KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology
Report contribution
DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) works by allowing domain owners to specify digital certificates or public keys directly in their DNS records. This enables DNS to serve as a secure repository for certificate information, enhancing the trustworthiness of TLS connections. When a client attempts to establish a secure connection, it can verify the authenticity of the server's certificate by checking the DNS records associated with the domain name. DANE strengthens security by reducing reliance on traditional certificate authorities and mitigating risks associated with certificate manipulation or misissuance.

Like

3 Why use DANE?

DANE can offer several benefits for enhancing the security and reliability of your network communication, such as preventing man-in-the-middle attacks, spoofing attacks, and certificate authority compromise. It can also reduce the dependency and cost of using third-party certificate authorities by allowing you to use self-signed certificates or public keys that are validated by DNSSEC instead of by external entities. These advantages make DANE a valuable tool for protecting your communication from malicious actors.

Add your perspective

4 How to implement DANE?

To implement DANE for your own network, you need to enable DNSSEC for your domain name by registering with a registrar that supports DNSSEC and configuring your DNS server. You must also generate a certificate or public key for your online service with a tool like OpenSSL or Let's Encrypt. A TLSA record must be created with danetool or tlsa-generator, which includes information about the certificate or key and the usage mode. The TLSA record should then be published on the DNS server and signed by DNSSEC. Your online service should be configured to use the certificate or key by installing it and enabling the protocol that supports DANE, such as HTTPS, SMTPS, or OpenVPN. Lastly, test your DANE implementation with danetls or danecheck to ensure the TLSA record is valid and your service is secure.

Add your perspective

5 What are the challenges and limitations of DANE?

DANE is a promising protocol that can improve the security and reliability of your network communication, but there are some challenges and limitations to consider. For example, DANE requires DNSSEC to be enabled for your domain name and for your DNS server and resolver to support it. Additionally, your client (such as a web browser, an email client, or a VPN client) needs to support DANE and query the DNS for TLSA records. Furthermore, DANE may introduce performance and availability issues as it adds an extra step to the connection process and relies on the DNS infrastructure. If the DNS query is slow or fails, or if the DNS server or resolver is compromised or misconfigured, the connection may be delayed or denied.

Add your perspective

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

What is DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) and how do you implement it?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 What is DANE?

2 How does DANE work?

3 Why use DANE?

4 How to implement DANE?

5 What are the challenges and limitations of DANE?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Networking

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Computer Networking

More relevant reading

What is DNS-based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) and how do you implement it?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 What is DANE?

2 How does DANE work?

3 Why use DANE?

4 How to implement DANE?

5 What are the challenges and limitations of DANE?

6 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Networking

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills