CVE-2016-10583 in closure-utils
Summary
by MITRE
closure-utils is Utilities for Closure Library based projects. closure-utils downloads 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-2016-10583 affects closure-utils, a utility package designed for Closure Library based projects that facilitates downloading binary resources. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in the software supply chain, as the utility performs downloads over unencrypted HTTP connections rather than secure HTTPS protocols. The absence of transport layer encryption creates a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to compromise the integrity of downloaded components. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. The fundamental issue lies in the lack of secure communication channels during the binary resource retrieval process, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can intercept and modify network traffic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker positions themselves within the network path between the vulnerable system and the remote server hosting the binary resources. Through this strategic placement, the attacker can intercept the HTTP requests made by closure-utils and replace the legitimate binary files with malicious alternatives. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK framework category of T1059, which encompasses the execution of malicious code through various attack vectors including supply chain compromises. The remote code execution capability arises because the downloaded binaries are executed directly by the application without proper integrity verification mechanisms. The vulnerability essentially allows for a complete compromise of the system's integrity, as the attacker can inject arbitrary code that will be executed with the privileges of the user running the closure-utils application.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10583 extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities to encompass broader supply chain security implications. Organizations using closure-utils are at risk of having their development environments compromised, potentially leading to the deployment of malicious code into production systems. The vulnerability affects not just individual developers but entire development teams that rely on the utility for their projects, creating a cascading effect that can propagate through multiple applications and systems. The risk is particularly severe in environments where network traffic is not properly monitored or where attackers have access to internal network segments, as these conditions make the man-in-the-middle attack vectors more accessible. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure software distribution practices and the necessity of implementing proper certificate validation and secure communication protocols to prevent such supply chain attacks from succeeding.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing secure communication protocols and integrity verification mechanisms. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a version of closure-utils that employs HTTPS connections for all binary downloads, thereby preventing the interception and modification of resources. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks. The implementation of certificate pinning or public key pinning mechanisms can provide additional protection against certificate-based attacks that might attempt to bypass standard SSL/TLS validation. Furthermore, developers should consider implementing checksum validation or digital signature verification for downloaded resources to ensure their integrity. These measures align with the ATT&CK framework's defensive recommendations for supply chain security and help address the underlying CWE-319 weakness by establishing proper secure communication channels and integrity verification processes.