CVE-2016-10584 in dalek-browser-chrome-canary
Summary
by MITRE
dalek-browser-chrome-canary provides Google Chrome bindings for DalekJS. dalek-browser-chrome-canary 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 • 02/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10584 affects the dalek-browser-chrome-canary component which serves as Google Chrome bindings for the DalekJS testing framework. This particular implementation exhibits a critical security flaw in its binary resource acquisition mechanism that fundamentally undermines the integrity of the software distribution process. The vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for downloading binary resources, creating an exploitable attack vector that can be leveraged by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the insecure transmission of binary components over HTTP instead of secure HTTPS channels, which exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks as defined by CWE-319. When the dalek-browser-chrome-canary component attempts to download required binary resources, it does not implement proper certificate validation or secure transport mechanisms. This weakness allows an attacker who has positioned themselves between the client and the remote server to intercept the HTTP traffic and substitute the legitimate binary with a maliciously crafted alternative. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through compromised software supply chains.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a pathway for full remote code execution capabilities. An attacker who successfully substitutes the binary resource can potentially execute arbitrary code on the victim system with the privileges of the user running the DalekJS testing framework. This represents a severe compromise of system integrity and can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where developers frequently use automated testing frameworks, as the attack surface expands to include development workstations and CI/CD pipelines that may be exposed to untrusted network segments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of secure transport protocols by configuring the dalek-browser-chrome-canary component to exclusively use HTTPS for all binary downloads. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as DNS filtering and traffic inspection to prevent unauthorized access to the compromised HTTP endpoints. Additionally, the use of cryptographic checksums and digital signatures for all downloaded binary components should be enforced to detect any tampering attempts. The remediation efforts should align with industry best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for secure software development and supply chain protection. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be implemented to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the software ecosystem.