DNSSEC Algorithms with Unbound

Unbound validates DNSSEC signatures and in the case that there are multiple signature algorithms in use, it checks that a valid chain of trust exists for each algorithm separately. Thus the algorithms that are in use must all be subverted before validation can be misdirected.

Algorithms in the Chain of Trust

The algorithms that are checked are signalled via the DS RRset. This means that zones do not receive these checks until they publish multiple algorithms into their DS set. Thus the set of algorithms present in the DS RRset must have DNSKEYs and signatures on every data element.

The RFCs already mandate that for algorithms signalled to be in use for a domain you must have DNSKEYs and signatures on every data element, because a validator is allowed to continue the chain of trust if it supports one algorithm but not the others. These validators that support one of the algorithms must find that the algorithm signalled to be present has keys and signatures, and if these are missing, will conclude that signatures have been 'stripped' away. The extra checks that unbound performs thus must succeed if the domain is properly signed and all signatures are present.

There is some leeway when signing a domain, and this leeway is useful when changes are phased in. The DNSKEY may contain more algorithms, perhaps as part of a rollover. The data may be signed with other algorithms as well. It is possible to have DS records for which no key exists, as long as another DS record for that algorithm has a key. It is possible to have DNSKEY records that do not sign any or only part of the data (as long as signatures are available via other DNSKEYs).

Change in algorithms is possible by introducing keys in the DNSKEY set, and signing with them, and once complete, introducing the DS record. The reverse, first with the takeown of the old algorithm DS records, for removal of a signing algorithm. Older versions of unbound did not allow introduction of a new algorithm key in the DNSKEY set if the signatures on the data were not already present, but newer (since 1.4.8) versions allow this (and rely on the algorithms signalled in the DS RRset).

Protection

The check for multiple algorithms protects against not-known-today algorithmic weaknesses in one algorithm by using the other algorithm. This assumes the (mathematical) properties of the algorithms are dissimilar and that any deficiencies are not discovered simultaneously.

So, for example, RSASHA1 and RSASHA1_NSEC3 is a poor choice in this regard, as the algorithms are identical (the algorithm identifier is used to signal NSEC3 support here, which was useful during the introduction of NSEC3). Also the use of multiple keys only protects like the largest one.

Trust Anchors

Trust anchors can provide multiple algorithms, if a trust anchor contains multiple algorithms, a valid chain of trust is checked for them. Similar, if a RFC5011 automated key state contains VALID (or MISSING) keys with multiple algorithms, these algorithms are checked. For RFC5011, key revocation is checked and performed before the other checks in the RFC5011 state table when processing a DNSKEY probe, to make algorithm rollover possible (specifically the removal of the last key for the old algorithm).