CVE-2016-10602 in haxe
Summary
by MITRE
haxe is a cross-platform toolkit haxe downloads zipped 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 zip file with an attacker controlled zip file 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 • 02/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10602 affects the Haxe cross-platform toolkit, specifically targeting its method of downloading zipped resources over unencrypted HTTP connections. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that exposes users to man-in-the-middle attacks, as the toolkit does not implement any form of integrity verification or secure transport mechanism when retrieving remote resources. The vulnerability stems from the fundamental design decision to use plaintext HTTP protocols for resource acquisition, which inherently lacks authentication and encryption capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic man-in-the-middle attack vector where an attacker positioned between the user and the remote server can intercept and replace the requested zip file with a maliciously crafted alternative. This attack model aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. When the Haxe toolkit downloads and processes the modified zip file, it executes code contained within the attacker-controlled archive, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust model inherent in the toolkit's operation, where users expect downloaded resources to be authentic and untampered.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness to install malware, establish backdoors, or perform other malicious activities on systems running vulnerable versions of Haxe. The attack surface is broad as any user who downloads resources through the toolkit is potentially exposed, particularly in environments where network traffic is not properly secured or monitored. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure software distribution practices and highlights how seemingly innocuous download mechanisms can become attack vectors when proper security controls are omitted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing secure transport mechanisms and integrity verification processes. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Haxe versions that implement HTTPS support and cryptographic verification of downloaded resources. The implementation of certificate pinning or checksum validation would provide additional layers of protection against this specific attack vector. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage this weakness to deliver malicious payloads through compromised download channels. Network administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks targeting this vulnerability, while security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable toolkit across their infrastructure.