CVE-2023-7008 is a vulnerability identified in the systemd-resolved component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. Systemd-resolved is responsible for DNS resolution and validation, including DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) validation, which ensures DNS responses are cryptographically signed and trustworthy. The vulnerability allows systemd-resolved to accept DNSSEC-signed domain records even when these records lack valid signatures. This flaw effectively bypasses the DNSSEC validation mechanism, enabling an attacker positioned as a man-in-the-middle or controlling an upstream DNS resolver to manipulate DNS responses undetected. Such manipulation can redirect users to malicious sites or disrupt services relying on DNS integrity. The CVSS 3.1 score is 5.9 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts integrity (I:H) but not confidentiality or availability. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile in network-exposed environments. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the potential impact on DNS integrity is significant, especially for environments relying on DNSSEC for security assurances. The lack of patch links suggests that remediation may be pending or available through Red Hat advisories. Organizations using RHEL 8 should prioritize monitoring and configuration adjustments to mitigate risk until patches are applied.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity of DNS resolution processes, particularly for those relying on DNSSEC to secure domain name lookups. Manipulated DNS responses can lead to traffic redirection, phishing, or interception of sensitive communications, undermining trust in network communications. Critical sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and telecommunications that depend on RHEL 8 and DNSSEC for secure operations could face targeted attacks exploiting this flaw. Although confidentiality and availability are not directly impacted, the integrity compromise can facilitate further attacks or data breaches. The medium severity rating reflects that exploitation is not trivial due to high attack complexity, but the absence of required privileges or user interaction means that attackers with network access could exploit this vulnerability. European organizations with exposed DNS infrastructure or those using RHEL 8 in cloud or on-premises environments should consider this a significant threat to their DNS security posture.

1. Apply official patches from Red Hat as soon as they become available to address CVE-2023-7008. 2. Until patches are deployed, configure systemd-resolved to enforce strict DNSSEC validation policies, rejecting unsigned or improperly signed DNSSEC records. 3. Monitor DNS traffic for unusual patterns or unexpected DNS responses that could indicate manipulation attempts. 4. Employ network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure of DNS services to untrusted networks. 5. Use alternative DNS resolvers with robust DNSSEC validation as a temporary workaround if feasible. 6. Regularly audit and update systemd and related components to maintain security posture. 7. Educate network and security teams about the risks of DNS manipulation and the importance of DNSSEC validation integrity. 8. Implement intrusion detection systems capable of detecting DNS spoofing or man-in-the-middle activities. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on DNSSEC-specific configurations and monitoring tailored to this vulnerability.