To get a quick start, we have supplied a sample script that showcases all functionality described below. Please find it here.
Queries can be intercepted in many places:
ipfilter())prerpz())preresolve())nodata(), nxdomain())postresolve())preoutquery())Addresses and DNS Names are not passed as strings but as native objects.
This allows for easy checking against Netmasks and domain sets.
It also means that to print such names, the :toString method must be used (or even :toStringWithPort for addresses).
Once a script is loaded, PowerDNS looks for several functions in the loaded script. All of these functions are optional.
If a function returns true, it will indicate that it handled a query. If it returns false, the Recursor will continue processing unchanged (with one minor exception).
ipfilter(remoteip, localip, dh) → bool¶This hook gets queried immediately after consulting the packet cache, but before parsing the DNS packet. If this hook returns something else than false, the packet is dropped. However, because this check is after the packet cache, the IP address might still receive answers that require no packet parsing.
With this hook, undesired traffic can be dropped rapidly before using precious CPU cycles for parsing. As an example, to filter all queries coming from 1.2.3.0/24, or with the AD bit set:
badips = newNMG()
badips:addMask("1.2.3.0/24")
function ipfilter(rem, loc, dh)
return badips:match(rem) or dh:getAD()
end
This hook does not get the full DNSQuestion object, since filling out the fields would require packet parsing, which is what we are trying to prevent with this function.
| Parameters: |
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gettag(remote, ednssubnet, localip, qname, qtype, ednsoptions, tcp) → int¶gettag(remote, ednssubnet, localip, qname, qtype, ednsoptions) → intChanged in version 4.1.0: The tcp parameter was added.
The gettag function is invoked when the Recursor attempts to discover in which packetcache an answer is available.
This function must return an integer, which is the tag number of the packetcache.
In addition to this integer, this function can return a table of policy tags.
The resulting tag number can be accessed via dq.tag in the preresolve() hook, and the policy tags via dq:getPolicyTags() in every hook.
New in version 4.1.0: It can also return a table whose keys and values are strings to fill the DNSQuestion.data table, as well as a requestorId value to fill the DNSQuestion.requestorId field and a deviceId value to fill the DNSQuestion.deviceId field.
New in version 4.3.0: Along the deviceId value that can be returned, it was addded a deviceName field to fill the DNSQuestion.deviceName field.
The tagged packetcache can e.g. be used to answer queries from cache that have e.g. been filtered for certain IPs (this logic should be implemented in gettag()).
This ensure that queries are answered quickly compared to setting dq.variable to true.
In the latter case, repeated queries will pass through the entire Lua script.
| Parameters: |
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prerpz(dq)¶This hook is called before any filtering policy have been applied, making it possible to completely disable filtering by setting dq.wantsRPZ to false.
Using the dq:discardPolicy() function, it is also possible to selectively disable one or more filtering policy, for example RPZ zones, based on the content of the dq object.
As an example, to disable the “malware” policy for example.com queries:
function prerpz(dq)
-- disable the RPZ policy named 'malware' for example.com
if dq.qname:equal('example.com') then
dq:discardPolicy('malware')
end
return false
end
| Parameters: | dq (DNSQuestion) – The DNS question to handle |
|---|
preresolve(dq)¶This function is called before any DNS resolution is attempted, and if this function indicates it, it can supply a direct answer to the DNS query, overriding the internet. This is useful to combat botnets, or to disable domains unacceptable to an organization for whatever reason.
| Parameters: | dq (DNSQuestion) – The DNS question to handle |
|---|
postresolve(dq)¶is called right before returning a response to a client (and, unless dq.variable is set, to the packet cache too).
It allows inspection and modification of almost any detail in the return packet.
| Parameters: | dq (DNSQuestion) – The DNS question to handle |
|---|
nxdomain(dq)¶is called after the DNS resolution process has run its course, but ended in an ‘NXDOMAIN’ situation, indicating that the domain does not exist.
Works entirely like postresolve(), but saves a trip through Lua for answers which are not NXDOMAIN.
| Parameters: | dq (DNSQuestion) – The DNS question to handle |
|---|
nodata(dq)¶is just like nxdomain(), except it gets called when a domain exists, but the requested type does not.
This is where one would implement DNS64.
| Parameters: | dq (DNSQuestion) – The DNS question to handle |
|---|
preoutquery(dq)¶This hook is not called in response to a client packet, but fires when the Recursor wants to talk to an authoritative server. When this hook sets the special result code -3, the whole DNS client query causing this outquery gets dropped.
However, this function can also return records like preresolve().
| Parameters: | dq (DNSQuestion) – The DNS question to handle |
|---|
The functions must return true if they have taken over the query and wish that the nameserver should not proceed with its regular query-processing.
When a function returns false, the nameserver will process the query normally until a new function is called.
If a function has taken over a request, it should set an rcode (usually 0), and specify a table with records to be put in the answer section of a packet.
An interesting rcode is NXDOMAIN (3, or pdns.NXDOMAIN), which specifies the non-existence of a domain.
The ipfilter() and preoutquery() hooks are different, in that ipfilter() can only return a true of false value, and that preoutquery() can also set rcode -3 to signify that the whole query should be terminated.
A minimal sample script:
function nxdomain(dq)
print("Intercepting NXDOMAIN for: ",dq.qname:toString())
if dq.qtype == pdns.A
then
dq.rcode=0 -- make it a normal answer
dq:addAnswer(pdns.A, "192.168.1.1")
return true
end
return false
end
Warning: Please do NOT use the above sample script in production! Responsible NXDomain redirection requires more attention to detail.
Useful ‘rcodes’ include 0 for “no error”, pdns.NXDOMAIN for “NXDOMAIN”, pdns.DROP to drop the question from further processing.
Such a drop is accounted in the ‘policy-drops’ metric.
The getFakeAAAARecords and getFakePTRRecords followupFunctions
can be used to implement DNS64. See DNS64 support for more information.
To get fake AAAA records for DNS64 usage, set dq.followupFunction to
getFakeAAAARecords, dq.followupPrefix to e.g. “64:ff9b::” and
dq.followupName to the name you want to synthesize an IPv6 address for.
For fake reverse (PTR) records, set dq.followupFunction to
getFakePTRRecords and set dq.followupName to the name to look up and
dq.followupPrefix to the same prefix as used with
getFakeAAAARecords.
When modifying queries, it might be needed that the Recursor does some extra work after the function returns.
The dq.followupFunction can be set in this case.
It may be useful to return a CNAME record for Lua, and then have the PowerDNS Recursor continue resolving that CNAME.
This can be achieved by setting dq.followupFunction to followCNAMERecords and dq.followupDomain to “www.powerdns.com”.
PowerDNS will do the rest.
The udpQueryResponse dq.followupFunction allows you to query a simple key-value store over UDP asynchronously.
Several dq variables can be set:
dq.udpQueryDest: destination IP address to send the UDP packet todq.udpQuery: The content of the UDP payloaddq.udpCallback: The name of the callback function that is called when an answer is receivedThe callback function must accept the dq object and can find the response to the UDP query in dq.udpAnswer.
In this callback function, dq.followupFunction can be set again to any of the available functions for further processing.
This example script queries a simple key/value store over UDP to decide on whether or not to filter a query:
--[[
This implements a two-step domain filtering solution where the status of an IP address
and a domain name need to be looked up.
To do so, we use the udpQuestionResponse answers which generically allows us to do asynchronous
lookups via UDP.
Such lookups can be slow, but they won't block PowerDNS while we wait for them.
To benefit from this hook,
..
To test, use the 'kvresp' example program provided.
--]]
function preresolve (dq)
print ("prereesolve handler called for: "..dq.remoteaddr:toString().. ", local: ".. dq.localaddr:toString()..", ".. dq.qname:toString()..", ".. dq.qtype)
dq.followupFunction="udpQueryResponse"
dq.udpCallback="gotdomaindetails"
dq.udpQueryDest=newCA("127.0.0.1:5555")
dq.udpQuery = "DOMAIN "..dq.qname:toString()
return true;
end
function gotdomaindetails(dq)
print("gotdomaindetails called, got: "..dq.udpAnswer)
if(dq.udpAnswer == "0")
then
print("This domain needs no filtering, not looking up this domain")
dq.followupFunction=""
return false
end
print("Domain might need filtering for some users")
dq.variable = true -- disable packet cache
local data={}
data["domaindetails"]= dq.udpAnswer
dq.data=data
dq.udpQuery="IP "..dq.remoteaddr:toString()
dq.udpCallback="gotipdetails"
print("returning true in gotipdetails")
return true
end
function gotipdetails(dq)
dq.followupFunction=""
print("So status of IP is "..dq.udpAnswer.." and status of domain is "..dq.data.domaindetails)
if(dq.data.domaindetails=="1" and dq.udpAnswer=="1")
then
print("IP wants filtering and domain is of the filtered kind")
dq:addAnswer(pdns.CNAME, "blocked.powerdns.com")
return true
else
print("Returning false (normal resolution should proceed, for this user)")
return false
end
end
pdnslog("pdns-recursor Lua script starting!", pdns.loglevels.Warning)
blockset = newDS()
blockset:add{"powerdns.org", "xxx"}
dropset = newDS();
dropset:add("123.cn")
malwareset = newDS()
malwareset:add("nl")
magic2 = newDN("www.magic2.com")
magicMetric = getMetric("magic")
-- shows the various ways of blocking, dropping, changing questions
-- return false to say you did not take over the question, but we'll still listen to 'variable'
-- to selectively disable the cache
function preresolve(dq)
print("Got question for "..dq.qname:toString().." from "..dq.remoteaddr:toString().." to "..dq.localaddr:toString())
local ednssubnet=dq:getEDNSSubnet()
if(ednssubnet) then
print("Packet EDNS subnet source: "..ednssubnet:toString()..", "..ednssubnet:getNetwork():toString())
end
local a=dq:getEDNSOption(3)
if(a) then
print("There is an EDNS option 3 present: "..a)
end
loc = newCA("127.0.0.1")
if(dq.remoteaddr:equal(loc))
then
print("Query from loopback")
end
-- note that the comparisons below are CaSe InSensiTivE and you don't have to worry about trailing dots
if(dq.qname:equal("magic.com"))
then
magicMetric:inc()
print("Magic!")
else
print("not magic..")
end
if(dq.qname:__eq(magic2)) -- we hope to improve this syntax
then
print("Faster magic") -- compares against existing DNSName
end -- sadly, dq.qname == magic2 won't work yet
if blockset:check(dq.qname) then
dq.variable = true -- disable packet cache in any case
if dq.qtype == pdns.A then
dq:addAnswer(pdns.A, "1.2.3.4")
dq:addAnswer(pdns.TXT, "\"Hello!\"", 3601) -- ttl
return true;
end
end
if dropset:check(dq.qname) then
dq.rcode = pdns.DROP
return true;
end
if malwareset:check(dq.qname) then
dq:addAnswer(pdns.CNAME, "xs.powerdns.com.")
dq.rcode = 0
dq.followupFunction="followCNAMERecords" -- this makes PowerDNS lookup your CNAME
return true;
end
return false;
end
-- this implements DNS64
function nodata(dq)
if dq.qtype == pdns.AAAA then
dq.followupFunction="getFakeAAAARecords"
dq.followupName=dq.qname
dq.followupPrefix="fe80::"
return true
end
if dq.qtype == pdns.PTR then
dq.followupFunction="getFakePTRRecords"
dq.followupName=dq.qname
dq.followupPrefix="fe80::"
return true
end
return false
end
badips = newNMG()
badips:addMask("127.1.0.0/16")
-- this check is applied before any packet parsing is done
function ipfilter(rem, loc, dh)
print("ipfilter called, rem: ", rem:toStringWithPort(), "loc: ",loc:toStringWithPort(),"match:", badips:match(rem))
print("id: ",dh:getID(), "aa: ", dh:getAA(), "ad: ", dh:getAD(), "arcount: ", dh:getARCOUNT())
print("ports: ",rem:getPort(),loc:getPort())
return badips:match(rem)
end
-- postresolve runs after the packet has been answered, and can be used to change things
-- or still drop
function postresolve(dq)
print("postresolve called for ",dq.qname:toString())
local records = dq:getRecords()
for k,v in pairs(records) do
print(k, v.name:toString(), v:getContent())
if v.type == pdns.A and v:getContent() == "185.31.17.73"
then
print("Changing content!")
v:changeContent("130.161.252.29")
v.ttl=1
end
end
dq:setRecords(records)
return true
end
nxdomainsuffix=newDN("com")
function nxdomain(dq)
print("Hooking: ",dq.qname:toString())
if dq.qname:isPartOf(nxdomainsuffix)
then
dq.rcode=0 -- make it a normal answer
dq:addAnswer(pdns.CNAME, "ourhelpfulservice.com")
dq:addAnswer(pdns.A, "1.2.3.4", 60, "ourhelpfulservice.com")
return true
end
return false
end
Frequently, DoS attacks are performed where specific IP addresses are attacked, often by queries coming in from open resolvers. These queries then lead to a lot of queries to ‘authoritative servers’ which actually often aren’t nameservers at all, but just targets of attack.
The following script will add a requestor’s IP address to a blocking set if they’ve sent a query that caused PowerDNS to attempt to talk to a certain subnet.
This specific script is, as of January 2015, useful to prevent traffic to ezdns.it related traffic from creating CPU load. This script requires PowerDNS Recursor 4.x or later.
lethalgroup=newNMG()
lethalgroup:addMask("192.121.121.0/24") -- touch these nameservers and you die
function preoutquery(dq)
print("pdns wants to ask "..dq.remoteaddr:toString().." about "..dq.qname:toString().." "..dq.qtype.." on behalf of requestor "..dq.localaddr:toString())
if(lethalgroup:match(dq.remoteaddr))
then
print("We matched the group "..lethalgroup:tostring().."!", "killing query dead & adding requestor "..dq.localaddr:toString().." to block list")
dq.rcode = -3 -- "kill"
return true
end
return false
end
The PowerDNS Recursor has a policy engine based on Response Policy Zones (RPZ). Starting with version 4.0.1 of the recursor, it is possible to alter this decision inside the Lua hooks.
If the decision is modified in a Lua hook, false should be returned, as the query is not actually handled by Lua so the decision is picked up by the Recursor.
The result of the policy decision is checked after preresolve() and postresolve().
For example, if a decision is set to pdns.policykinds.NODATA by the policy engine and is unchanged in preresolve(), the query is replied to with a NODATA response immediately after preresolve().
-- Dont ever block my own domain and IPs
myDomain = newDN("example.com")
myNetblock = newNMG()
myNetblock:addMasks({"192.0.2.0/24"})
function preresolve(dq)
if dq.qname:isPartOf(myDomain) and dq.appliedPolicy.policyKind ~= pdns.policykinds.NoAction then
pdnslog("Not blocking our own domain!")
dq.appliedPolicy.policyKind = pdns.policykinds.NoAction
end
return false
end
function postresolve(dq)
if dq.appliedPolicy.policyKind ~= pdns.policykinds.NoAction then
local records = dq:getRecords()
for k,v in pairs(records) do
if v.type == pdns.A then
local blockedIP = newCA(v:getContent())
if myNetblock:match(blockedIP) then
pdnslog("Not blocking our IP space")
dq.appliedPolicy.policyKind = pdns.policykinds.NoAction
end
end
end
end
return false
end
PowerDNS Recursor, when compiled with SNMP support, has the ability to act as a SNMP agent to provide SNMP statistics and to be able to send traps from Lua.
For example, to send a custom SNMP trap containing the qname from the
preresolve hook:
function preresolve(dq)
sendCustomSNMPTrap('Trap from preresolve, qname is '..dq.qname:toString())
return false
end
Starting with version 4.2.0 of the recursor, it is possible to define a maintenance() callback function that will be called periodically. This function expects no argument and doesn’t return any value.
function maintenance()
-- This would be called every second
-- Perform here your maintenance
end
The interval can be configured through the lua-maintenance-interval setting.