CVE-2016-10552 in igniteui
Summary
by MITRE
igniteui 0.0.5 and earlier downloads JavaScript and CSS resources over insecure protocol.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10552 affects the igniteui JavaScript library version 0.0.5 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk through the insecure transmission of critical web resources. This flaw represents a classic man-in-the-middle attack vector where sensitive JavaScript and CSS files are downloaded over unencrypted HTTP connections rather than secure HTTPS protocols. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of web applications that rely on this library, as attackers can intercept and potentially modify the downloaded resources during transit. This insecure protocol usage creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the application's frontend components, compromising the entire web application stack.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the library's default configuration that prioritizes convenience over security by not enforcing encrypted connections for resource loading. When applications using igniteui 0.0.5 or earlier fetch JavaScript and CSS assets, these resources are transmitted without encryption, making them susceptible to interception and manipulation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through the use of insecure communication channels. The flaw operates at the network layer where HTTP requests are made without proper transport layer security, allowing attackers to perform session hijacking, data tampering, or even complete application compromise through resource substitution attacks. The impact is particularly severe in environments where users access applications over public networks or when the application handles sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a persistent security risk for all applications utilizing the affected library version. Attackers can exploit this weakness to modify the behavior of web applications by injecting malicious code into the downloaded resources, potentially leading to cross-site scripting attacks, credential theft, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the application's trust model since users cannot verify that the resources they receive are authentic and unmodified. This issue particularly impacts web applications that handle sensitive user data or financial transactions, where the integrity of frontend resources is critical for maintaining security posture. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of insecure communication and the exposure of sensitive data through insecure network protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10552 require immediate action to upgrade to a patched version of the igniteui library or implement compensating controls to enforce secure communication. Organizations should prioritize updating to version 0.0.6 or later where the library properly implements HTTPS for resource downloads. Alternative mitigations include implementing content security policies that restrict resource loading to secure origins only, deploying web application firewalls that monitor and block insecure requests, or configuring reverse proxies that enforce HTTPS termination for all resource requests. The implementation of these controls should follow the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for network traffic manipulation, specifically targeting the T1071.004 technique related to application layer protocol communication. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all applications using vulnerable library versions and establish automated monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits should verify that resource loading configurations comply with secure coding practices and that all dependencies are updated to their latest secure versions.