When it comes to reconnaissance, one of the juiciest targets for attackers is the Domain Name System (DNS). Often overlooked by defenders, DNS acts as the address book of the internet, translating human-friendly domain names into IP addresses. While this process is fundamental for the internet to function, misconfigurations in DNS servers can provide attackers with a treasure trove of information through DNS Zone Transfers.

Let’s dive into what DNS Zone Transfers are, why they matter, and how attackers exploit them. But more importantly, we’ll discuss how defenders can mitigate this often-overlooked vulnerability.