CVE-2016-10597 in cobalt-cli
Summary
by MITRE
cobalt-cli downloads resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10597 affects the cobalt-cli tool, which is used for various security operations including penetration testing and vulnerability assessment activities. This tool demonstrates a critical security flaw in its resource acquisition mechanism that exposes users to significant risks during network operations. The primary issue lies in the tool's implementation of HTTP protocol for downloading necessary components, configuration files, and resources required for its functionality. This design choice creates an exploitable weakness that can be leveraged by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure between the user and the resource servers.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of secure transport mechanisms in the cobalt-cli tool's download processes. When resources are fetched over HTTP instead of HTTPS, the communication channel becomes vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can intercept, modify, or inject malicious content into the downloaded resources. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to compromise the integrity of downloaded components, potentially leading to the execution of malicious code or the introduction of backdoors into the security testing environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that security tools rely upon. When cobalt-cli downloads resources over unencrypted HTTP connections, it creates opportunities for attackers to modify the downloaded content, inject malicious payloads, or redirect the tool to compromised servers. This risk is particularly severe in penetration testing environments where the integrity of tools and their components is paramount for accurate security assessments. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by positioning themselves on the network path to intercept and modify downloads, potentially compromising the entire security testing process and creating false positives or negatives in vulnerability assessments.
Organizations and security professionals using cobalt-cli must understand that this vulnerability creates a persistent risk surface that can be exploited regardless of the underlying network security controls. The MITM attack vector allows adversaries to compromise the tool's functionality before it even executes, potentially leading to complete system compromise or the ability to conduct further attacks through the compromised tool. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for execution and T1566 for phishing attacks, as attackers can leverage this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through compromised download channels. The risk is compounded by the fact that many security professionals may not immediately recognize this as a vulnerability in their tooling, leading to extended exposure periods and potential compromise of security testing operations.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing secure transport mechanisms for all resource downloads, specifically transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS protocols for all external communications. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate MITM activity, and establish proper certificate validation procedures for all downloads. Organizations using cobalt-cli should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while ensuring that all tooling components are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. The implementation of secure coding practices and regular security assessments of tooling components can help prevent similar issues in other security tools and systems, aligning with industry best practices for secure software development and maintenance.