CVE-2016-10606 in grunt-webdriver-qunit
Summary
by MITRE
grunt-webdriver-qunit is a grunt plugin to run qunit with webdriver in grunt grunt-webdriver-qunit 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-2016-10606 affects the grunt-webdriver-qunit npm package, which serves as a grunt plugin for executing qunit tests through webdriver automation. This package demonstrates a critical security flaw in its implementation of binary resource retrieval mechanisms that directly impacts the security posture of development environments utilizing this tool. The vulnerability stems from the package's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for downloading binary dependencies, creating an exploitable attack surface that can be leveraged by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure software delivery practices, where sensitive binary components are transmitted without proper integrity verification or encryption mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the package's download behavior where it fetches binary resources using HTTP rather than HTTPS protocols. This design choice exposes the system to man-in-the-middle attacks where an attacker can intercept the communication between the client and remote servers. The vulnerability specifically enables a remote code execution scenario because the downloaded binaries are executed within the context of the development environment, and when replaced with malicious payloads by an attacker, these compromised binaries can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the grunt tasks. This represents a classic supply chain attack vector where the compromise occurs at the dependency resolution phase rather than during application runtime.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network interception attacks and encompasses a broader threat landscape that includes both active network attackers and compromised network infrastructure. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise of development environments, potentially allowing attackers to access source code repositories, steal development credentials, or establish persistent backdoors within the development infrastructure. The vulnerability affects developers working in environments where network traffic is not properly secured, particularly in corporate networks or public Wi-Fi scenarios where attackers can position themselves between the client and remote servers. This threat is especially concerning in development environments where developers may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of secure download practices and network security controls. Organizations should implement network segmentation and traffic monitoring to detect unauthorized binary downloads or unusual network activity. The recommended approach includes upgrading to versions of grunt-webdriver-qunit that implement HTTPS-based binary downloads or implementing local binary caching mechanisms with integrity verification. Security controls should also include network-level protections such as mandatory proxy configurations, SSL inspection capabilities, and proper certificate validation. Additionally, developers should consider implementing dependency verification mechanisms and supply chain security practices that align with industry standards including those referenced in the CWE catalog under CWE-319 for secure communication protocols and ATT&CK framework techniques related to supply chain compromises and credential access through network infiltration. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure software delivery practices and the necessity of implementing proper cryptographic protections even in development tooling environments.