# DNS Verification Bug Fix Design ## Purpose Fix critical bug in DNS TXT record verification where the code queries the wrong domain location, preventing successful domain verification even when users have correctly configured their DNS records. ## Problem Statement ### Current Incorrect Behavior The DNS verification service currently queries the wrong domain for TXT records: 1. **User instructions** (correctly shown in template): Set TXT record at `_gondulf.{domain}` 2. **User action**: Creates TXT record at `_gondulf.thesatelliteoflove.com` with value `gondulf-verify-domain` 3. **Code behavior** (INCORRECT): Queries `thesatelliteoflove.com` instead of `_gondulf.thesatelliteoflove.com` 4. **Result**: Verification always fails ### Root Cause In `src/gondulf/dns.py`, the `verify_txt_record` method passes the domain directly to `get_txt_records`, which then queries that exact domain. The calling code in `src/gondulf/routers/authorization.py` also passes just the base domain without the `_gondulf.` prefix. ## Design Overview The fix requires modifying the DNS verification logic to correctly prefix the domain with `_gondulf.` when querying TXT records for Gondulf domain verification purposes. ## Component Details ### 1. DNSService Updates (`src/gondulf/dns.py`) #### Option A: Modify `verify_txt_record` Method (RECOMMENDED) Update the `verify_txt_record` method to handle Gondulf-specific verification by prefixing the domain: ```python def verify_txt_record(self, domain: str, expected_value: str) -> bool: """ Verify that domain has a TXT record with the expected value. For Gondulf domain verification (expected_value="gondulf-verify-domain"), queries the _gondulf.{domain} subdomain as per specification. Args: domain: Domain name to verify (e.g., "example.com") expected_value: Expected TXT record value Returns: True if expected value found in TXT records, False otherwise """ try: # For Gondulf domain verification, query _gondulf subdomain if expected_value == "gondulf-verify-domain": query_domain = f"_gondulf.{domain}" else: query_domain = domain txt_records = self.get_txt_records(query_domain) # Check if expected value is in any TXT record for record in txt_records: if expected_value in record: logger.info( f"TXT record verification successful for domain={domain} " f"(queried {query_domain})" ) return True logger.debug( f"TXT record verification failed: expected value not found " f"for domain={domain} (queried {query_domain})" ) return False except DNSError as e: logger.warning(f"TXT record verification failed for domain={domain}: {e}") return False ``` #### Option B: Create Dedicated Method (ALTERNATIVE - NOT RECOMMENDED) Add a new method specifically for Gondulf verification: ```python def verify_gondulf_domain(self, domain: str) -> bool: """ Verify Gondulf domain ownership via TXT record at _gondulf.{domain}. Args: domain: Domain name to verify (e.g., "example.com") Returns: True if gondulf-verify-domain found in _gondulf.{domain} TXT records """ gondulf_subdomain = f"_gondulf.{domain}" return self.verify_txt_record(gondulf_subdomain, "gondulf-verify-domain") ``` **Recommendation**: Use Option A. It keeps the fix localized to the DNS service and maintains backward compatibility while fixing the bug with minimal changes. ### 2. No Changes Required in Authorization Router With Option A, no changes are needed in `src/gondulf/routers/authorization.py` since the fix is entirely contained within the DNS service. The existing call remains correct: ```python dns_verified = dns_service.verify_txt_record(domain, "gondulf-verify-domain") ``` ### 3. Template Remains Correct The template (`src/gondulf/templates/verification_error.html`) already shows the correct instructions and needs no changes. ## Data Models No data model changes required. ## API Contracts No API changes required. This is an internal bug fix. ## Error Handling ### DNS Query Errors The existing error handling in `get_txt_records` is sufficient: - NXDOMAIN: Domain doesn't exist (including subdomain) - NoAnswer: No TXT records found - Timeout: DNS server timeout - Other DNS exceptions: General failure All these cases correctly return False for verification failure. ### Logging Updates Update log messages to include which domain was actually queried: - Success: Include both the requested domain and the queried domain - Failure: Include both domains to aid debugging ## Security Considerations 1. **No New Attack Vectors**: The fix doesn't introduce new security concerns 2. **DNS Rebinding**: Not applicable (we're only reading TXT records) 3. **Cache Poisoning**: Existing DNS resolver safeguards apply 4. **Subdomain Takeover**: The `_gondulf` prefix is specifically chosen to avoid conflicts ## Testing Strategy ### Unit Tests Required 1. **Test Gondulf domain verification with correct TXT record** - Mock DNS response for `_gondulf.example.com` with value `gondulf-verify-domain` - Verify `verify_txt_record("example.com", "gondulf-verify-domain")` returns True 2. **Test Gondulf domain verification with missing TXT record** - Mock DNS response for `_gondulf.example.com` with no TXT records - Verify `verify_txt_record("example.com", "gondulf-verify-domain")` returns False 3. **Test Gondulf domain verification with wrong TXT value** - Mock DNS response for `_gondulf.example.com` with value `wrong-value` - Verify `verify_txt_record("example.com", "gondulf-verify-domain")` returns False 4. **Test non-Gondulf TXT verification still works** - Mock DNS response for `example.com` (not prefixed) with value `other-value` - Verify `verify_txt_record("example.com", "other-value")` returns True - Ensures backward compatibility for any other TXT verification uses 5. **Test NXDOMAIN handling** - Mock NXDOMAIN for `_gondulf.example.com` - Verify `verify_txt_record("example.com", "gondulf-verify-domain")` returns False ### Integration Test 1. **End-to-end authorization flow test** - Set up test domain with `_gondulf.{domain}` TXT record - Attempt authorization flow - Verify DNS verification passes ### Manual Testing 1. Configure real DNS record: `_gondulf.yourdomain.com` with value `gondulf-verify-domain` 2. Test authorization flow 3. Verify successful DNS verification 4. Check logs show correct domain being queried ## Acceptance Criteria 1. ✅ DNS verification queries `_gondulf.{domain}` when verifying Gondulf domain ownership 2. ✅ Users with correctly configured TXT records can successfully verify their domain 3. ✅ Log messages clearly show which domain was queried for debugging 4. ✅ Non-Gondulf TXT verification (if used elsewhere) continues to work 5. ✅ All existing tests pass 6. ✅ New unit tests cover the fix 7. ✅ Manual testing confirms real DNS records work ## Implementation Notes 1. **Critical Bug**: This is a P0 bug that completely breaks domain verification 2. **Simple Fix**: The fix is straightforward - just add the prefix when appropriate 3. **Test Thoroughly**: While the fix is simple, ensure comprehensive testing 4. **Verify Logs**: Update logging to be clear about what domain is being queried ## Migration Considerations None required. This is a bug fix that makes the code work as originally intended. No database migrations or data changes needed.