CVE-2016-10605 in dalek-browser-ie
Summary
by MITRE
dalek-browser-ie is Internet Explorer bindings for DalekJS. dalek-browser-ie 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-2016-10605 affects dalek-browser-ie, which serves as Internet Explorer bindings for the DalekJS testing framework. This particular component represents a critical security flaw in the software supply chain of automated web testing tools. The vulnerability stems from the application's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for downloading binary resources required for its operation. This design choice creates a fundamental security weakness that directly violates industry best practices for secure software distribution and component management.
The technical flaw manifests in the use of plaintext HTTP connections for binary resource retrieval, which exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks as defined by CWE-319. When network traffic traverses unsecured channels, attackers positioned within the network path or capable of intercepting communications can seamlessly substitute legitimate binary files with malicious counterparts. This substitution attack vector represents a classic example of a supply chain compromise where the integrity of downloaded components is compromised without detection. The vulnerability specifically enables remote code execution capabilities when attackers successfully replace requested binaries with their own malicious versions, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network interception scenarios, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of any system utilizing dalek-browser-ie for automated testing operations. Organizations relying on this framework for web application testing may unknowingly execute malicious code during the binary download process, potentially compromising entire test environments and development systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the software supply chain and represents a significant risk to organizations that depend on automated testing frameworks for quality assurance processes. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors through the compromised binary components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols and supply chain integrity measures. Organizations should transition from HTTP to HTTPS for all binary resource downloads, ensuring that cryptographic transport layer security protects against man-in-the-middle attacks. The implementation of certificate pinning and strict certificate validation mechanisms provides additional defense layers against certificate-based attacks. Furthermore, organizations should implement software composition analysis tools to monitor for vulnerable dependencies and establish secure software distribution practices that enforce integrity checks for all downloaded components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1133 which focuses on external remote services and represents a critical weakness in the software supply chain security posture that requires immediate remediation.