---
title: "NET-DNS-002 BIND DNSSEC Validation Disabled"
canonical: https://openvapt.com/checks/NET-DNS-002.html
html: https://openvapt.com/checks/NET-DNS-002.html
site: OpenVAPT, https://openvapt.com/
license: OpenVAPT Source-Available Licence 1.3, https://openvapt.com/legal/licence-text.html
modified: 2026-10-14
version: 0.1.0-alpha.6
---

# NET-DNS-002 BIND DNSSEC Validation Disabled

named.conf sets dnssec-validation no, so the resolver accepts forged answers for signed zones.

- Domain: Network
- Severity: Medium
- Control category: Data Services
- Fix effort: low
- CVSS v3.1 vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N`
- CIS Controls v8: 4.1
- NIST CSF 2.0: PR.PS-01
- CWE: CWE-347, CWE-350
- OWASP Top 10 2021: A08:2021
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: SC-20, SC-21
- Benchmark topic: DNS resolver validation (topic only, no benchmark text)

## Why It Matters

DNSSEC validation lets a recursive resolver reject spoofed records for zones that are signed, which blocks cache poisoning of those names. BIND 9.16 and newer default to  auto  with the built-in root trust anchor, so an explicit  no  is a deliberate weakening.

## How It Detects

Reads named.conf and named.conf.options for dnssec-validation. Fails on  no . Absent passes with a note (the default is auto on supported releases); auto or yes passes.

## How to Fix

Set  dnssec-validation auto;  in options (remove any  no ), run named-checkconf and rndc reconfig. Authoritative-only servers with recursion off may leave it unset.

## How to Verify

```
dig @127.0.0.1 dnssec-failed.org a  should return SERVFAIL, and a signed name should show the ad flag.
```

## Learn the Theory

- [P19 Database, Mail and DNS Hardening](https://openvapt.com/academy/p19.md)

## References

- [BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual, dnssec-validation](https://bind9.readthedocs.io/en/latest/reference.html#namedconf-statement-dnssec-validation)
- [NIST SP 800-81 Rev. 2, Secure Domain Name System Deployment Guide](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/81/r2/final)

## Source Code

https://github.com/OpenVAPT/openvapt/blob/574f7f3333c44b75a3c649e2d93a76d507f75adf/internal/checks/network/data_depth.go

Run it: `openvapt scan --only NET-DNS-002`. Read it offline: `openvapt explain NET-DNS-002`.

---

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