How Cybercriminals Exploit Domain Forwarding

Domain forwarding is a legitimate and commonly used feature in the domain industry that allows a domain owner to automatically redirect traffic from one domain to another. This practice is useful for businesses managing multiple domain names or for ensuring that users are directed to the correct web address, even if they mistype the URL or use a different domain extension. However, like many features designed for convenience and efficiency, domain forwarding has become a tool for cybercriminals who exploit it for malicious purposes. From phishing attacks to spreading malware, cybercriminals take advantage of domain forwarding to deceive users, hide their tracks, and perpetuate a wide range of scams.

At its core, domain forwarding is intended to be a simple process. The owner of a domain configures settings within their registrar’s control panel to direct traffic from that domain to another, often more established or frequently visited, site. When users enter the forwarded domain in their browsers, they are automatically redirected to the target site without realizing the domain switch. However, when cybercriminals gain control over a domain, either by hijacking it or registering it after expiration, they can modify the forwarding rules to send users to malicious websites designed to steal information, install malware, or promote scams.

One of the most common ways cybercriminals exploit domain forwarding is through phishing attacks. By taking over a legitimate domain, attackers can configure it to forward traffic to a fake website that closely resembles the original. Users who click on links in emails or search results may not realize they are being redirected to a different site because the URL in the browser’s address bar may change quickly or look nearly identical to the legitimate one. This tactic allows attackers to carry out phishing schemes in which unsuspecting users enter sensitive information, such as login credentials, credit card numbers, or personal identification details, into what they believe is a trusted website. By the time users recognize they have been deceived, their information has already been harvested by the attackers.

Domain forwarding also provides cybercriminals with an effective means of evading detection. Because forwarded domains are typically only used as a bridge to redirect traffic, they often fly under the radar of security systems that might otherwise detect and block the malicious site. For example, a domain involved in phishing or malware distribution can be quickly shut down if detected by security services. However, when cybercriminals use a forwarded domain, the malicious website itself remains operational while traffic is routed through disposable or less obvious intermediary domains. This redirection technique complicates the process of tracking down the true source of the attack and makes it more difficult for law enforcement or security researchers to take action against the malicious actors.

Another tactic cybercriminals use in domain forwarding schemes is to exploit expired domains that still receive significant web traffic. Many domains, particularly those associated with well-established brands or popular services, continue to attract visitors long after they expire or are no longer actively maintained by the original owner. Once these domains expire and become available for re-registration, cybercriminals can purchase them and set up forwarding to malicious websites. Users who visit the expired domain—either because they have bookmarked it or because it still appears in search engine results—are redirected to a malicious site without realizing that the domain is no longer under the control of the original owner. This technique is especially effective when the expired domain had a strong reputation or brand association, as users are more likely to trust the site they are redirected to.

Cybercriminals also use domain forwarding in combination with typosquatting, where they register domains that closely resemble popular or trusted websites but with slight variations, such as misspellings or different TLDs (top-level domains). When users accidentally type the wrong domain name into their browser, they are forwarded to a malicious site instead of the legitimate one. This can be used to trick users into interacting with fraudulent websites that look similar to the real site they intended to visit. These malicious sites may host fake login pages, phishing forms, or download links for malware. By exploiting the trust users place in familiar brand names, cybercriminals can execute attacks that appear credible and avoid detection by those unaware of the subtle changes in the domain.

In addition to phishing and malware distribution, domain forwarding can be used for more complex and targeted attacks, such as business email compromise (BEC) schemes. In these attacks, cybercriminals often impersonate high-ranking executives or trusted vendors by hijacking a domain and forwarding its traffic to a site that hosts a fraudulent email service. Employees who receive emails from the compromised domain may not realize that the domain has been redirected to a fake mail server controlled by the attacker. The forwarded domain can then be used to send phishing emails that request sensitive information or wire transfers, taking advantage of the perceived legitimacy of the domain. Because the domain forwarding obscures the true nature of the attack, these emails are often difficult to detect as fraudulent, leading to significant financial losses for the targeted organization.

Malware campaigns often rely heavily on domain forwarding to ensure that their malicious payloads reach victims. Attackers frequently change the destination domain in their forwarding rules to prevent detection and evade security tools. By continuously updating the forwarded domains, attackers can maintain control over their malware distribution campaigns while minimizing the chances of their infrastructure being taken down. This is particularly useful in botnet operations, where malware-infected devices communicate with command-and-control (C2) servers through redirected domains. By using a chain of forwarded domains, attackers can hide the location of their C2 infrastructure and complicate efforts to disrupt the botnet’s activities.

Another form of exploitation involves using domain forwarding to carry out advertising fraud. In this scheme, cybercriminals redirect traffic from compromised or malicious domains to websites that generate revenue through advertising impressions or clicks. By artificially driving traffic to these sites, attackers can inflate their advertising revenue at the expense of legitimate advertisers or website owners. While this type of fraud may not directly harm users, it undermines the integrity of online advertising ecosystems and can cause financial damage to businesses that rely on accurate metrics for their advertising campaigns.

To combat the exploitation of domain forwarding, domain owners must take several proactive steps to secure their domains and ensure they are not used for malicious purposes. Strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), should be enabled for domain management accounts to prevent unauthorized access. Domain owners should also regularly monitor DNS records and forwarding settings to detect any unauthorized changes. Additionally, domain owners should renew their domains well before they expire to prevent them from being re-registered by malicious actors. Domain owners who no longer wish to maintain a domain should consider taking it offline rather than allowing it to expire, particularly if it still receives traffic or has brand recognition.

Registrars also play a critical role in preventing the misuse of domain forwarding. By offering security features such as DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) and domain locking, registrars can help ensure that domains are not hijacked or redirected without authorization. Furthermore, registrars should provide tools for domain owners to monitor forwarding activity and receive alerts if changes are made to their domain settings. Improved security protocols at the registrar level, combined with better user education about the risks of domain forwarding, can help reduce the prevalence of these attacks.

In conclusion, while domain forwarding is a valuable tool for managing domain traffic and enhancing user experience, it also presents significant security risks when exploited by cybercriminals. From phishing attacks to malware distribution and advertising fraud, attackers have developed a range of methods to leverage domain forwarding for malicious purposes. To defend against these threats, domain owners and registrars must take proactive measures to secure domain settings, monitor for suspicious activity, and ensure that domain forwarding is used responsibly. In doing so, they can help protect users from the harmful consequences of domain forwarding exploitation and preserve the integrity of the domain name system.

Domain forwarding is a legitimate and commonly used feature in the domain industry that allows a domain owner to automatically redirect traffic from one domain to another. This practice is useful for businesses managing multiple domain names or for ensuring that users are directed to the correct web address, even if they mistype the URL…