CVE-2016-10604 in dalek-browser-chrome
Summary
by MITRE
dalek-browser-chrome is Google Chrome bindings for DalekJS. dalek-browser-chrome 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 • 02/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10604 affects dalek-browser-chrome, which serves as Google Chrome bindings for the DalekJS testing framework. This particular implementation demonstrates a critical security flaw in how it handles binary resource downloads during the automated browser testing process. The vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on unencrypted HTTP connections for downloading essential binary components required for proper browser automation functionality. When applications download resources over plain HTTP instead of secure HTTPS protocols, they expose themselves to man-in-the-middle attacks that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network traffic flow.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. The flaw specifically manifests when dalek-browser-chrome attempts to fetch binary resources from remote servers without implementing proper transport layer security measures. This creates an attack surface where adversaries can intercept the communication between the client and server, potentially replacing legitimate binary files with malicious counterparts. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure communication patterns that can be exploited to undermine the integrity of the software supply chain. Attackers exploiting this weakness could substitute the intended binary resources with compromised versions that contain backdoors or other malicious code, thereby compromising the security of automated testing environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it can potentially enable remote code execution within the context of the automated testing infrastructure. When an attacker successfully replaces the legitimate binary with a malicious one, the compromised component could execute arbitrary code on the target system during the testing process. This presents a significant risk to organizations relying on DalekJS for automated browser testing, as the compromised testing environment could become a vector for broader system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the entire testing pipeline, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to test environments or even propagate to production systems if the testing infrastructure shares network resources with critical operational systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing secure communication protocols throughout the application's resource acquisition process. Organizations should immediately configure dalek-browser-chrome to utilize HTTPS connections for all binary downloads, ensuring that transport layer encryption is enforced for all network communications. The implementation of certificate pinning mechanisms can provide additional protection against certificate-based attacks, while network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and alert on suspicious network traffic patterns. Security patches should be applied to update the application to versions that properly enforce secure connections, and organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised testing environments. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to verify that no other components within the automated testing infrastructure are vulnerable to similar man-in-the-middle attacks, as this vulnerability could be indicative of broader security weaknesses in the development and testing environment's network security posture.