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DNS A Record Resolves to Private IP

It indicates that a public domain resolves via a DNS A record to a non-routable private or non-public IP address, such as RFC1918, loopback, link-local, or reserved ranges.

Analyst Q&A

What this signal answers

The questions every analyst asks before acting on this signal.

What it detects01

What does 'DNS A Record Resolves to Private IP' indicate?

It indicates that a public domain resolves via a DNS A record to a non-routable private or non-public IP address, such as RFC1918, loopback, link-local, or reserved ranges.

Why it matters02

Why is this considered a malicious-leaning signal?

Public domains resolving to private IP addresses are abnormal in standard internet usage and are commonly associated with DNS rebinding techniques, internal network targeting, or intentional infrastructure misuse.

How analysts use it03

How should SOC analysts interpret this label?

This label should be treated as a medium-strength malicious-leaning signal and evaluated together with behavioral indicators such as rebinding patterns, recent DNS changes, or anomalous web and application activity.

Often paired with:alert_only
Evidence shape

What DNS A Record Resolves to Private IP looks like in the response

A realistic shape of the entry the engine appends to the risk_signals array when this signal fires. Evidence keys are subgroup-default; per-signal overrides documented in the API reference.

json
{
  "slug": "dns_a_private_ip",
  "name": "DNS A Record Resolves to Private IP",
  "group": "dns_history",
  "subgroup": "ip_stability_retention",
  "direction": "malicious",
  "evidence": {
    "current_ip_lifespan_days": 612,
    "median_ip_lifespan_days": 540,
    "ip_churn_30d": 1,
    "last_ip_change_days_ago": 612
  }
}
See in API reference
Siblings

Peers in IP Stability & Retention

8 other signals share the same subgroup. They detect related behaviors and often co-fire on the same IOC.

Dedicated Hosting Detected

It means the domain operates on an IP address that is not shared with any other unrelated domains. This indicates a dedi…

SafeCore
Long IP Lifespan

It indicates that the domain has maintained the same IP address or hosting infrastructure for an extended period, weeks,…

SafeCore
Long-Lived Active Domain

These refer to domains that have consistently resolved through DNS over a long period. Long-lived DNS activity often ind…

SafeCore
CDN Infrastructure Detected

The domain is hosted on shared infrastructure such as a CDN, cloud provider, or shared hosting platform.

Safe
Show 4 more in IP Stability & Retention

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