CVE-2016-10592 in jser-stat
Summary
by MITRE
jser-stat is a JSer.info stat library. jser-stat downloads data resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The CVE-2016-10592 vulnerability affects jser-stat, a JavaScript library used for collecting statistics from JSer.info, a popular JavaScript news and information website. This library serves as a data collection mechanism that gathers usage statistics and other metrics from web applications. The vulnerability stems from the library's implementation of HTTP protocol for downloading data resources, which creates a fundamental security flaw in the communication channel between the client and the data source. When applications utilize jser-stat, they inadvertently expose themselves to man-in-the-middle attacks that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the collected data.
The technical flaw manifests in the library's failure to implement secure communication protocols for data retrieval. By default, jser-stat employs HTTP connections instead of HTTPS, which means all data transmitted between the client application and the data servers travels in plaintext. This unencrypted communication channel creates multiple attack vectors that malicious actors can exploit to intercept, modify, or inject data into the statistical collection process. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through inadequate communication security. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking, data tampering, or even redirect traffic to malicious endpoints, potentially compromising the entire statistical data collection infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it fundamentally undermines the trustworthiness of the collected statistics. Applications using jser-stat may inadvertently transmit sensitive user information or application data through the insecure HTTP connections, creating potential privacy violations and compliance issues. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to business-critical metrics and analytics, potentially exposing competitive intelligence or internal system configurations. The risk is particularly concerning for applications that rely on accurate statistical data for decision-making processes, as compromised data could lead to incorrect business strategies or security posture assessments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10592 should prioritize immediate implementation of secure communication protocols within the jser-stat library. The most effective approach involves updating the library to use HTTPS connections by default for all data resource downloads, ensuring that all communications are encrypted using TLS protocols. Organizations should also implement network-level security controls such as DNS security extensions and certificate pinning to further protect against certificate-based attacks. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized data modifications that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers data compression and encryption, and represents a clear example of how insecure network communications can create persistent security risks. Regular security audits and dependency updates should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other third-party libraries, as this issue demonstrates the critical importance of secure communication practices in modern web applications.