CVE-2016-10586 in macaca-chromedriver
Summary
by MITRE
macaca-chromedriver is a Node.js wrapper for the selenium chromedriver. macaca-chromedriver before 1.0.29 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-2016-10586 affects macaca-chromedriver, a Node.js wrapper that facilitates interaction with Selenium's ChromeDriver through the macaca testing framework. This tool serves as a bridge between automated testing frameworks and the Chrome browser driver, enabling developers to conduct automated web application testing. The flaw resides in the software's download mechanism which utilizes unencrypted HTTP protocols to retrieve binary resources from remote servers. This design choice creates a significant security weakness that directly violates industry best practices for secure software distribution and component integrity verification.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of HTTP instead of HTTPS for binary downloads, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to intercept network traffic between the client system and remote servers. When macaca-chromedriver attempts to download ChromeDriver binaries, the HTTP protocol transmits data in plaintext, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "T1046 - Network Service Scanning" and "T1566 - Phishing" when combined with network position attacks. The vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information due to the use of unencrypted or weak encryption protocols, and CWE-494, which covers the download of code without integrity verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a pathway for remote code execution attacks that can compromise entire testing environments. An attacker positioned within the network traffic path or who has gained access to the local network can replace legitimate ChromeDriver binaries with malicious versions that execute arbitrary code when loaded by the testing framework. This threat vector is particularly dangerous in continuous integration environments where automated testing systems may be running with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain deeper system access or manipulate test results to hide malicious activities. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 1.0.29, making it a critical security concern for organizations that rely on automated testing infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies that include upgrading to macaca-chromedriver version 1.0.29 or later, which addresses the insecure HTTP download mechanism by implementing HTTPS connections for binary retrieval. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, firewall rules that restrict outbound HTTP traffic, and the deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns. The remediation approach should align with security standards including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for secure software development practices. Additionally, organizations should establish secure software supply chain procedures that verify the integrity of downloaded components through cryptographic checksums or digital signatures, as recommended in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and the Software Supply Chain Security guidelines. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure communication protocols in automated testing environments where the integrity of the testing infrastructure directly impacts overall system security posture.