CVE-2016-10571 in bkjs-wand
Summary
by MITRE
bkjs-wand is imagemagick wand support for node.js and backendjs bkjs-wand versions lower than 0.3.2 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 vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10571 affects bkjs-wand, a node.js library that provides ImageMagick wand functionality for backendjs applications. This library serves as a bridge between node.js applications and the powerful ImageMagick image processing suite, enabling developers to perform various image manipulation tasks within their javascript environments. The specific issue lies in how the library handles the downloading of binary resources required for its operation, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within network traffic paths.
The technical flaw stems from bkjs-wand versions prior to 0.3.2 utilizing unencrypted HTTP connections to download necessary binary components from remote servers. This design choice fundamentally exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks where an attacker can intercept the communication between the client and the remote server. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and represents a classic example of insecure network communication that can be exploited to manipulate the integrity of downloaded resources. When binary resources are downloaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS, the attacker can potentially swap out legitimate binaries with maliciously crafted alternatives that contain backdoors or exploit code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected systems. An attacker positioned within the network path between the vulnerable application and the remote server can intercept the binary download process and replace the legitimate ImageMagick binaries with attacker-controlled executables. This substitution could lead to remote code execution on the target system, as the application would execute the malicious binary instead of the intended ImageMagick components. The potential for remote code execution through this vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script injection methods, and represents a critical escalation path that could allow attackers to gain full control over affected systems. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but potentially the entire server infrastructure, as ImageMagick itself has a history of vulnerabilities that could compound the impact of this initial compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10571 focus on immediate remediation through version updates, as the issue was resolved in bkjs-wand version 0.3.2 and later. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the patched versions to eliminate the HTTP download vulnerability entirely. Additionally, network administrators should implement proper SSL/TLS inspection and monitoring to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks, while also ensuring that all binary downloads occur over encrypted channels using HTTPS protocols. The implementation of certificate pinning mechanisms can provide additional protection against certificate substitution attacks, and organizations should consider deploying network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other instances of similar insecure download practices within their codebases and implement automated security scanning to prevent such issues from recurring in future development cycles.