RFC 9464: Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2 (IKEv2) Configuration for Encrypted DNS
- M. Boucadair,
- T. Reddy.K,
- D. Wing,
- V. Smyslov
Abstract
This document specifies new Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2 (IKEv2) Configuration Payload Attribute Types to assign DNS resolvers that support encrypted DNS protocols, such as DNS over HTTPS (DoH), DNS over TLS (DoT), and DNS over QUIC (DoQ).¶
Status of This Memo
This is an Internet Standards Track document.¶
This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has received public review and has been approved for publication by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information on Internet Standards is available in Section 2 of RFC 7841.¶
Information about the current status of this document, any
errata, and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at
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Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2023 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the document authors. All rights reserved.¶
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
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1. Introduction
This document specifies a mechanism for assigning encrypted DNS configurations to an Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2 (IKEv2) initiator [RFC7296]. Specifically, it assigns one or more Authentication Domain Names (ADNs) of DNS resolvers that support encrypted DNS protocols. The specific protocols supported are described using the Service Parameters format defined in [RFC9460]; supported protocols include DNS over HTTPS (DoH) [RFC8484], DNS over TLS (DoT) [RFC7858], and DNS over QUIC (DoQ) [RFC9250].¶
This document introduces three new IKEv2 Configuration Payload
Attribute Types (Section 3) to add support for encrypted
DNS resolvers. The ENCDNS_IP4 and ENCDNS_IP6 attribute types (Section 3.1) are used to provision ADNs, a list of IP
addresses, and a set of service parameters. The ENCDNS
The encrypted DNS resolver hosted by a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
provider can get a domain
For many years, typical designs have often assumed that the DNS resolver was usually located inside the protected domain, but they don't consider implementations where the DNS resolver could be located outside of it. With encrypted DNS, implementing the latter scenario becomes plausible. Note that existing VPN client implementations might not expect the discovered DNS resolver IP addresses to be outside of the covered IP address ranges of the VPN tunnel.¶
2. Terminology
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP 14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all capitals, as shown here.¶
This document uses the terms defined in [RFC8499].¶
Also, this document uses the terms defined in [RFC7296]. In particular, readers should be familiar with the terms "initiator" and "responder" as used in that document.¶
This document makes use of the following terms:¶
- Do53:
- Refers to unencrypted DNS.¶
- Encrypted DNS:
- Refers to a scheme where DNS messages are sent over an encrypted channel. Examples of encrypted DNS are DoT, DoH, and DoQ.¶
- ENCDNS_IP*:
- Refers to any of the IKEv2 Configuration Payload Attribute Types defined in Section 3.1.¶
3. IKEv2 Configuration Payload Attribute Types for Encrypted DNS
3.1. ENCDNS_IP* Configuration Payload Attributes
The ENCDNS_IP* IKEv2 Configuration Payload Attribute Types, ENCDNS_IP4 and ENCDNS_IP6, are used to configure an initiator with encrypted DNS resolvers. Both attribute types share the format shown in Figure 1. The information included in these attributes adheres to the recommendation in Section 3.1.9 of [RFC9463].¶
The description of the fields shown in Figure 1 is as follows:¶
- R (Reserved, 1 bit):
- This bit MUST be set to zero and MUST be ignored on receipt (see Section 3.15.1 of [RFC7296] for details).¶
- Attribute Type (15 bits):
- Identifier for the Configuration Attribute Type. This is set to 27 for ENCDNS_IP4 or 28 for ENCDNS_IP6, as registered in Section 8.¶
- Length (2 octets, unsigned integer):
-
Length of the enclosed data in octets. In particular, this field is set to:¶
- Service Priority (2 octets):
- The priority of this attribute compared to other ENCDNS_IP* instances. This 16-bit unsigned integer is interpreted following the rules specified in Section 2.4.1 of [RFC9460]. As AliasMode (Section 2.4.2 of [RFC9460]) is not supported, this field MUST NOT be set to 0. Note that AliasMode is not supported because such a mode will trigger additional Do53 queries while the data can be supplied directly in the IKE response.¶
- Num Addresses (1 octet):
- Indicates the number of enclosed IPv4 (for ENCDNS_IP4) or IPv6 (for ENCDNS_IP6) addresses. This value MUST NOT be set to 0 if the Configuration payload has type CFG_REPLY or CFG_SET. This may be set to 0 in CFG_REQUEST to indicate that no IP address is encoded in the attribute.¶
- ADN Length (1 octet):
- Indicates the length of the "Authentication Domain Name" field in octets. When set to 0, this means that no ADN is enclosed in the attribute.¶
- IP Address(es) (variable):
- Includes one or more IP addresses that can be used to reach the encrypted DNS resolver identified by the ADN. For ENCDNS_IP4, this field contains one or more 4-octet IPv4 addresses, and for ENCDNS_IP6, this field contains one or more 16-octet IPv6 addresses.¶
- Authentication Domain Name (variable):
-
A fully qualified domain name of the encrypted DNS resolver, in DNS presentation format and using an Internationaliz
ed Domain Names for Applications (IDNA) A-label [RFC5890]. The name MUST NOT contain any terminators (e.g., NULL, CR).¶ An example of a valid ADN for a DoH server is "doh1
.example .com" . ¶ - Service Parameters (SvcParams) (variable):
-
Specifies a set of service parameters that are encoded following the same rules for encoding SvcParams using the wire format specified in Section 2.2 of [RFC9460]. Section 3.1.5 of [RFC9463] lists a set of service parameters that are recommended to be supported by implementations
. ¶ The service parameters MUST NOT include "ipv4hint" or "ipv6hint" SvcParams, as they are superseded by the included IP addresses.¶
If no "port" service parameter is included, this indicates that default port numbers should be used. As a reminder, the default port number is 853 for DoT (Section 6 of [RFC7858]), 443 for DoH (Section 8.1 of [RFC8484]), and 853 for DoQ (Section 8 of [RFC9250]).¶
The service parameters apply to all IP addresses in the ENCDNS_IP* Configuration Payload Attribute.¶
3.2. ENCDNS_DIGEST_INFO Configuration Payload Attribute
The ENCDNS
Some of the fields shown in Figure 2 can be omitted, as further detailed below.¶
The format of the ENCDNS
The description of the fields shown in Figure 3 is as follows:¶
- R (Reserved, 1 bit):
- This bit MUST be set to zero and MUST be ignored on receipt (see Section 3.15.1 of [RFC7296] for details).¶
- Attribute Type (15 bits):
- Identifier for the Configuration Attribute Type. This is set to 29; see Section 8.¶
- Length (2 octets, unsigned integer):
- Length of the enclosed data in octets. This field MUST be set to "2 + (2 * 'number of included hash algorithm identifiers')".¶
- Num Hash Algs (1 octet):
- Indicates the number of identifiers included in the "List of Hash Algorithm Identifiers" field. This field MUST be set to "(Length - 2)/2".¶
- ADN Length (1 octet):
- MUST be set to 0.¶
- List of Hash Algorithm Identifiers (variable):
-
Specifies a list of 16-bit hash algorithm identifiers that are supported by the encrypted DNS client. This list may be controlled by a local policy.¶
The values of this field are identifiers taken from "IKEv2 Hash Algorithms" on IANA's "Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2) Parameters" registry [IANA-IKE-HASH].¶
There is no padding between the hash algorithm identifiers.¶
Note that SHA2-256 is mandatory to implement (see Section 5).¶
The format of the ENCDNS
The description of the fields shown in Figure 4 is as follows:¶
- R (Reserved, 1 bit):
- This bit MUST be set to zero and MUST be ignored on receipt (see Section 3.15.1 of [RFC7296] for details).¶
- Attribute Type (15 bits):
- Identifier for the Configuration Attribute Type. This is set to 29; see Section 8.¶
- Length (2 octets, unsigned integer):
- Length of the data in octets.¶
- Num Hash Algs (1 octet):
- MUST be set to 1.¶
- ADN Length (1 octet):
- Indicates the length of the "Authentication Domain Name" field in octets. When set to 0, this means that the digest applies on the ADN conveyed in the ENCDNS_IP* Configuration Payload Attribute.¶
- Authentication Domain Name (variable):
- A fully qualified domain name of the encrypted DNS resolver following the syntax defined in [RFC5890]. The name MUST NOT contain any terminators (e.g., NULL, CR). A name is included only when multiple ADNs are included in the ENCDNS_IP* Configuration Payload Attribute.¶
- Hash Algorithm Identifier (2 octets):
- Specifies the 16-bit hash algorithm identifier selected by the DNS resolver to generate the digest of its certificate.¶
- Certificate Digest (variable):
- Includes the Subject Public Key Info (SPKI) hash (Section 5) of the encrypted DNS resolver certificate using the algorithm identified in the "Hash Algorithm Identifier" field. The length of this field is "Length - 4 - 'ADN Length'".¶
The ENCDNS
As discussed in Section 3.15.1 of [RFC7296],
there are no defined uses for the CFG_SET/CFG_ACK exchange. The use of
the ENCDNS
4. IKEv2 Protocol Exchange
This section describes how the attributes defined in Section 3 are used to configure an IKEv2 initiator with one or more encrypted DNS resolvers. As a reminder, badly formatted attributes or unacceptable fields are handled as per Section 2.21 of [RFC7296].¶
Initiators first indicate support for encrypted DNS by including ENCDNS_IP* attributes in their CFG_REQUEST payloads. Responders supply encrypted DNS configuration by including ENCDNS_IP* attributes in their CFG_REPLY payloads. Concretely:¶
The DNS client establishes an encrypted DNS session (e.g., DoT, DoH, or DoQ) with the address or addresses conveyed in ENCDNS_IP* and uses the mechanisms discussed in Section 8 of [RFC8310] to authenticate the DNS resolver certificate using the ADN conveyed in ENCDNS_IP*.¶
If the CFG_REPLY includes an ENCDNS
If the IPsec connection is a split-tunnel configuration and the
initiator negotiated INTERNAL
Note: [RFC8598] requires that the INTERNAL
5. Subject Public Key Info (SPKI) Hash
The SPKI hash of the encrypted DNS resolver certificate is the output of a cryptographic hash algorithm whose input is the DER-encoded ASN.1 representation of the SPKI.¶
6. Security Considerations
This document adheres to the security considerations defined in [RFC7296]. In particular, this document does not alter the trust that the initiator has placed on the DNS configuration provided by a responder.¶
Networks are susceptible to internal attacks as discussed in Section 3.2 of [INT-THREAT-MOD]. Hosting encrypted DNS resolvers even in the case of split-VPN configuration can minimize the attack vector (e.g., a compromised network device cannot monitor/modify DNS traffic). This specification describes a mechanism for restricting access to the DNS messages to only the parties that need to know.¶
If the IKEv2 responder has used the NULL Authentication method [RFC7619] to authenticate itself, the initiator MUST NOT use returned ENCDNS_IP* resolvers configuration unless the initiator is preconfigured, e.g., in the operating system or the application.¶
This specification does not extend the scope of accepting DNSSEC trust anchors beyond the usage guidelines defined in Section 6 of [RFC8598].¶
7. Privacy Considerations
As discussed in [RFC9076], the use of encrypted DNS does not reduce the data available in the DNS resolver. For example, the reader may refer to Section 8 of [RFC8484] or Section 7 of [RFC9250] for a discussion on specific privacy considerations for encrypted DNS.¶
8. IANA Considerations
IANA has assigned the following new IKEv2 Configuration Payload Attribute Types in the "IKEv2 Configuration Payload Attribute Types" namespace available at [IANA-IKE-CFG].¶
9. References
9.1. Normative References
- [IANA-IKE-HASH]
-
IANA, "IKEv2 Hash Algorithms", <https://
www >..iana .org /assignments /ikev2 -parameters / - [RFC2119]
-
Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC2119 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc2119 - [RFC5890]
-
Klensin, J., "Internationaliz
ed , RFC 5890, DOI 10Domain Names for Applications (IDNA): Definitions and Document Framework" .17487 , , <https:///RFC5890 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc5890 - [RFC6234]
-
Eastlake 3rd, D. and T. Hansen, "US Secure Hash Algorithms (SHA and SHA-based HMAC and HKDF)", RFC 6234, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC6234 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc6234 - [RFC7296]
-
Kaufman, C., Hoffman, P., Nir, Y., Eronen, P., and T. Kivinen, "Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2 (IKEv2)", STD 79, RFC 7296, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC7296 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc7296 - [RFC8174]
-
Leiba, B., "Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC 2119 Key Words", BCP 14, RFC 8174, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC8174 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc8174 - [RFC8310]
-
Dickinson, S., Gillmor, D., and T. Reddy, "Usage Profiles for DNS over TLS and DNS over DTLS", RFC 8310, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC8310 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc8310 - [RFC8598]
-
Pauly, T. and P. Wouters, "Split DNS Configuration for the Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2 (IKEv2)", RFC 8598, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC8598 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc8598 - [RFC9460]
-
Schwartz, B., Bishop, M., and E. Nygren, "Service Binding and Parameter Specification via the DNS (SVCB and HTTPS Resource Records)", RFC 9460, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC9460 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc9460
9.2. Informative References
- [IANA-IKE-CFG]
-
IANA, "IKEv2 Configuration Payload Attribute Types", <https://
www >..iana .org /assignments /ikev2 -parameters / - [INT-THREAT-MOD]
-
Arkko, J. and S. Farrell, "Challenges and Changes in the Internet Threat Model", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft, draft
-arkko , , <https://-farrell -arch -model -t -04 datatracker >..ietf .org /doc /html /draft -arkko -farrell -arch -model -t -04 - [RFC7619]
-
Smyslov, V. and P. Wouters, "The NULL Authentication Method in the Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2 (IKEv2)", RFC 7619, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC7619 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc7619 - [RFC7671]
-
Dukhovni, V. and W. Hardaker, "The DNS-Based Authentication of Named Entities (DANE) Protocol: Updates and Operational Guidance", RFC 7671, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC7671 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc7671 - [RFC7858]
-
Hu, Z., Zhu, L., Heidemann, J., Mankin, A., Wessels, D., and P. Hoffman, "Specification for DNS over Transport Layer Security (TLS)", RFC 7858, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC7858 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc7858 - [RFC8484]
-
Hoffman, P. and P. McManus, "DNS Queries over HTTPS (DoH)", RFC 8484, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC8484 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc8484 - [RFC8499]
-
Hoffman, P., Sullivan, A., and K. Fujiwara, "DNS Terminology", BCP 219, RFC 8499, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC8499 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc8499 - [RFC8613]
-
Selander, G., Mattsson, J., Palombini, F., and L. Seitz, "Object Security for Constrained RESTful Environments (OSCORE)", RFC 8613, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC8613 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc8613 - [RFC9076]
-
Wicinski, T., Ed., "DNS Privacy Considerations", RFC 9076, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC9076 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc9076 - [RFC9250]
-
Huitema, C., Dickinson, S., and A. Mankin, "DNS over Dedicated QUIC Connections", RFC 9250, DOI 10
.17487 , , <https:///RFC9250 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc9250 - [RFC9463]
-
Boucadair, M., Ed., Reddy.K, T., Ed., Wing, D., Cook, N., and T. Jensen, "DHCP and Router Advertisement Options for the Discovery of Network
-designated , RFC 9463, DOI 10Resolvers (DNR)" .17487 , , <https:///RFC9463 www >..rfc -editor .org /info /rfc9463
Appendix A. Configuration Payload Examples
A.1. Configuration of Encrypted IPv6 DNS Resolvers without Suggested Values
Figure 5 depicts an example of a CFG_REQUEST to
request the configuration of IPv6 DNS resolvers without providing any
suggested values. In this example, the initiator uses the
ENCDNS
Figure 6 depicts an example of a CFG_REPLY that can be sent by a responder as a response to the above CFG_REQUEST. This response indicates the following information to identify the encrypted DNS resolver:¶
In the example depicted in Figure 6, no ADN is
included in the ENCDNS
A.2. Configuration of Encrypted IPv6 DNS Resolvers with Suggested Values
An initiator may provide suggested values in the CFG_REQUEST when requesting an encrypted DNS resolver. For example, the initiator may:¶
A.3. Split DNS
An initiator may also indicate that it supports Split DNS by
including the INTERNAL
Figure 11 shows an example of the responder's reply. Absent any prohibited local policy, the initiator uses the
encrypted DNS server
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Yoav Nir, Christian Jacquenet, Paul Wouters, and Tommy Pauly for their reviews and comments.¶
Yoav and Paul suggested the use of one single attribute carrying both
the name and an IP address instead of depending on the existing
INTERNAL
Thanks to Tero Kivinen for the Shepherd review and Roman Danyliw for the AD review.¶
Thanks to Stewart Bryant for the gen-art review, Dhruv Dhody for the ops-dir review, and Patrick Mevzek for the dns-dir review.¶
Thanks to Paul Wouters, Zaheduzzaman Sarker, Éric Vyncke, and Robert Wilton for their comments during the IESG review.¶