CVE-2016-10565 in operadriver
Summary
by MITRE
operadriver is a Opera Driver for Selenium. operadriver versions below 0.2.3 download binary resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks. It may be possible to cause remote code execution (RCE) by swapping out the requested binary with an attacker controlled binary if the attacker is on the network or positioned in between the user and the remote server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The operadriver component within Selenium automation framework presents a critical security vulnerability in versions prior to 023 where it defaults to downloading binary resources using unencrypted HTTP protocols. This design flaw creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit through man-in-the-middle positioning to intercept and manipulate the download process. The vulnerability stems from the absence of secure transport mechanisms during binary acquisition, leaving the system susceptible to various network-based attacks that can compromise the integrity of downloaded components.
This weakness directly maps to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception as it enables potential remote code execution scenarios when attackers successfully substitute legitimate binaries with malicious counterparts. The attack vector requires the adversary to either be positioned on the same network segment or to have the capability to redirect traffic through network position attacks such as ARP spoofing or DNS hijacking.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1195 which covers content injection and T1059 which addresses command and script injection. When an attacker successfully replaces the legitimate Opera driver binary with a malicious version, they can execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the user running the Selenium automation. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further network reconnaissance activities.
Organizations utilizing operadriver for automated testing and web application automation must implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to version 023 or later where HTTPS download mechanisms are properly implemented. Network administrators should consider deploying additional security controls such as network segmentation, DNS monitoring, and traffic inspection to detect and prevent unauthorized binary substitutions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure software supply chain practices and the necessity of implementing cryptographic verification mechanisms for all binary downloads to prevent such exploitation scenarios.
Additional protective measures include implementing certificate pinning for the download endpoints, configuring network access controls to restrict outbound connections to trusted repositories, and establishing automated monitoring for unauthorized binary modifications. The incident highlights the fundamental security principle that all network communications involving software distribution must utilize encrypted transport protocols to maintain integrity and prevent tampering. Organizations should also consider implementing software bill of materials tracking and binary integrity verification mechanisms as part of their overall security posture to detect such supply chain compromises.