CVE-2016-10563 in go-ipfs-deps
Summary
by MITRE
During the installation process, the go-ipfs-deps module before 0.4.4 insecurely downloads resources over HTTP. This allows for a MITM attack to compromise the integrity of the resources used by this module and could allow for further compromise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10563 resides within the go-ipfs-deps module version 0.4.4 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw during the software installation process. This issue stems from the module's insecure practice of downloading essential resources using the unencrypted HTTP protocol instead of the secure HTTPS alternative. The fundamental weakness lies in the absence of transport layer security during resource acquisition, creating an exploitable vector that undermines the integrity of the entire installation workflow.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement proper cryptographic protection during network communications, specifically during the dependency resolution and resource download phases of the installation process. When the go-ipfs-deps module attempts to fetch required components over HTTP, it exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can intercept, modify, or replace the downloaded resources with malicious content. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and represents a classic case of insecure communication channel exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond the immediate installation process, potentially enabling attackers to compromise not only the targeted system but also the broader network infrastructure. An attacker positioned within the network traffic path can substitute legitimate dependencies with malicious versions, leading to code injection, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise. The implications are particularly severe for systems that rely on ipfs for decentralized file storage and content distribution, as compromised dependencies could affect the integrity of distributed data and network communications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the use of command and scripting interpreter for execution, as malicious code could be injected through compromised dependencies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10563 require immediate implementation of secure protocol enforcement across all dependency resolution processes. Organizations should upgrade to go-ipfs-deps version 0.4.4 or later, which implements proper HTTPS usage for resource downloads. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict egress filtering policies that prevent HTTP traffic to known dependency repositories and enforce mandatory TLS encryption for all external communications. The remediation process must also include verification of downloaded resources through cryptographic checksums and digital signatures to ensure integrity validation. Security teams should conduct comprehensive network monitoring to detect any suspicious HTTP traffic patterns and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure software supply chain practices and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks across entire distributed systems.