Tool Documentation:

dns2tcpd Usage Example

root@kali-server:~# cat >>.dns2tcpdrc <<END
listen = 0.0.0.0
port = 53
user=nobody
chroot = /root/dns2tcp
pid_file = /var/run/dns2tcp.pid
domain = dns2tcp.kali.org
key = secretkey
resources = ssh:127.0.0.1:22
END
root@kali-server:~# dns2tcpd -f .dns2tcpdrc
root@kali-server:~#

dns2tcpc Usage Example

root@kali-client:~# cat >>.dns2tcprc <<END
domain = dns2tcp.kali.org
resource = ssh
local_port = 2139
key = secretkey
END
root@kali-client:~# dns2tcpc -f .dns2tcprc
root@kali-client:~# ssh root@localhost -p 2139 -D 8090
The authenticity of host '[localhost]:2139 ([127.0.0.1]:2139)' can't be established.
ECDSA key fingerprint is aa:bb:1f:cc:f1:ab:7c:71:9b:62:37:8c:f1:60:2e:98.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no)? yes
Warning: Permanently added '[localhost]:2139' (ECDSA) to the list of known hosts.
root@localhost's password:
Linux flw 3.12-kali1-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 3.12.6-2kali1 (2014-01-06) x86_64

The programs included with the Kali GNU/Linux system are free software;
the exact distribution terms for each program are described in the
individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright.

Kali GNU/Linux comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
Last login: Tue May  6 22:54:15 2014 from beast.fritz.box
root@kali-server:~#

dns2tcpc Example Details

In this case we are going to tunnel some traffic from a client behind a perimeter firewall to our own server. Since dns2tcp is using dns (asking for TXT records within a (sub)domain) to archive the goal we need to create a NS record for a new subdomain pointing to the address of our server.

dns2tcp.kali.org. IN NS lab.kali.org.

There is no need for a DNS server installation. But please keep in mind that you probably added a new NS to a real DNS zone. And it might take a while until the new subdomain is “active”.

In the next step (dns2tcpd Usage Example) we create a configuration file on our server (lab.kali.org) and start the daemon. To make sure everything is working well you should consider using the options “-F” (Run in foreground) and “-d 1” (debugging) at the first start.

Now you can configure the host (dns2tcpc Usage Example) and run the client part of the tool. The tunnel is established now and you can connect to your remote box with ssh (ssh root@localhost -p 2139 -D 8090). Please keep in mind to use the username of the remote box (lab.kali.org) because the connection goes to port 2139 (-p 2139). The traffic to this port gets tunneled via DNS (because the dns2tcp client is listening on this port) to your remote server (where your dns2tcp server is waiting on port 53 for incoming connections). While connecting to the remote box via ssh you have also created an additional listener with your ssh command (-D 8090). This port can be used as SOCKS proxy and the traffic will also be tunneld to your remote box.

Packages and Binaries:

root@kali:~# dns2tcpc -h
dns2tcpc: option requires an argument -- 'h'
dns2tcp v0.5.2 ( http://www.hsc.fr/ )
Usage : dns2tcpc [options] [server] 
	-c         	: enable compression
	-z <domain>	: domain to use (mandatory)
	-d <1|2|3>	: debug_level (1, 2 or 3)
	-r <resource>	: resource to access
	-k <key>	: pre-shared key
	-f <filename>	: configuration file
	-l <port|->	: local port to bind, '-' is for stdin (mandatory if resource defined without program )
	-e <program>	: program to execute
	-t <delay>	: max DNS server's answer delay in seconds (default is 3)
	-T <TXT|KEY>	: DNS request type (default is TXT)
	server	: DNS server to use
	If no resources are specified, available resources will be printed

root@kali:~# dns2tcpd --help
dns2tcpd: invalid option -- '-'
Usage : dns2tcpd [ -i IP ] [ -F ] [ -d debug_level ] [ -f config-file ] [ -p pidfile ]
	 -F : dns2tcpd will run in foreground

Updated on: 2024-Mar-11