CVE-2016-10601 in webdrvr
Summary
by MITRE
webdrvr is a npm wrapper for Selenium Webdriver including Chromedriver / IEDriver / IOSDriver / Ghostdriver. webdrvr 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-2016-10601 affects webdrvr, a popular npm package that serves as a wrapper for Selenium WebDriver including various driver components such as Chromedriver, IEDriver, IOSDriver, and Ghostdriver. This package facilitates automated web browser testing by managing the download and execution of these specialized browser drivers. The core security issue stems from the package's implementation of insecure communication protocols during the binary resource download process. Specifically, webdrvr retrieves binary components over unencrypted HTTP connections rather than secure HTTPS protocols, creating a fundamental weakness in the software supply chain that exposes users to significant security risks.
The technical flaw represents a classic man-in-the-middle attack vector where an attacker positioned within the network traffic path can intercept and manipulate the download process of critical binary files. When webdrvr attempts to download driver binaries, it establishes HTTP connections that lack encryption and integrity verification mechanisms. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-319, which describes the weakness of exposing sensitive information through insecure transmission channels. The attack scenario becomes particularly dangerous because the downloaded binaries are executed locally on the victim's system, potentially allowing an attacker to substitute legitimate driver binaries with malicious counterparts that contain backdoors or exploit code. The absence of cryptographic verification or checksum validation during the download process eliminates any mechanism to detect or prevent such binary substitution attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it can lead to full system compromise through remote code execution. When an attacker successfully replaces a legitimate driver binary with a malicious one, the consequences can be severe and far-reaching. The compromised system becomes vulnerable to persistent malware installation, credential theft, and lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects development environments and continuous integration systems where automated testing tools are frequently used, as these environments often have elevated privileges and may be more exposed to network-based attacks. The attack surface is broadened because the vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire development teams and organizations that rely on automated testing frameworks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1071 (Application Layer Protocol) tactics, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised automation tools while leveraging network protocols for their attack delivery.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10601 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to newer versions of webdrvr or alternative packages that implement secure download mechanisms using HTTPS with certificate validation. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level controls such as SSL inspection and deep packet inspection to detect and prevent unauthorized binary substitutions. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that include cryptographic verification of downloaded components, using mechanisms like checksum validation or digital signatures to ensure binary integrity. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure software supply chain management and demonstrates why organizations must implement comprehensive security measures throughout their development lifecycle. Regular security audits of third-party dependencies and automated vulnerability scanning tools should be deployed to identify similar insecure download patterns in other packages. Organizations should also establish secure baseline configurations for development environments that enforce encrypted communications and implement proper access controls to limit exposure to potential attackers.