What is Dangling Subdomain?

Dangling subdomains are subdomains that have been created but are no longer in use or have not been configured correctly. They are often forgotten or abandoned by organizations, leaving them unclaimed and pointing to non-existent or unauthorized IP addresses. Attackers can exploit these unclaimed subdomains to launch phishing attacks, distribute malware, or perform reconnaissance to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Risks of Dangling Subdomains:

Unknown or dangling subdomains can expose your business to a variety of risks. These include:

Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks: Dangling subdomains can be utilized by attackers to create deceptive websites that mimic legitimate organizations. They can trick unsuspecting users into disclosing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details, leading to identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage.

Malware Distribution:Attackers can abuse dangling subdomains to host malicious content, distribute malware, or initiate drive-by downloads. Unsuspecting users who visit these subdomains may unknowingly download malware onto their systems, compromising the security of their devices and potentially spreading malware to others.

Brand Reputation Damage: Dangling subdomains that appear to be associated with legitimate organizations can tarnish their brand reputation. If attackers exploit these subdomains for malicious purposes, it can erode user trust, leading to a loss of credibility, customer loyalty, and business opportunities.

Data Breaches and Unauthorized Access: Attackers may utilize dangling subdomains to perform reconnaissance and gain unauthorized access to sensitive internal systems. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, and potential exploitation of vulnerabilities within an organization's network infrastructure.