CVE-2016-10610 in unicode-json
Summary
by MITRE
unicode-json is a unicode lookup table. unicode-json before 2.0.0 downloads data resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10610 affects the unicode-json library, a tool designed to provide unicode lookup table functionality for developers working with unicode character data. This particular version of the library demonstrates a critical security flaw in its resource acquisition mechanism that creates significant attack surface for man-in-the-middle adversaries. The library's implementation fails to establish secure communication channels when downloading necessary data resources, instead relying on unencrypted http protocols for resource retrieval.
The technical flaw stems from the library's insecure default behavior of fetching unicode data tables and lookup resources through plain http connections rather than secure https protocols. This design decision exposes users to potential interception and modification of critical data during transit between the library's download mechanism and the remote servers hosting the unicode resources. Attackers positioned within the network path between the vulnerable application and the unicode data servers can easily intercept these http requests and substitute malicious content for the legitimate unicode data, potentially leading to incorrect character processing or even arbitrary code execution in certain scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the unicode lookup functionality. When applications depend on unicode-json for proper character handling, they become susceptible to attacks that could manipulate how unicode characters are interpreted and processed within the system. This vulnerability affects any environment where the library is used to process unicode text, particularly in applications handling internationalized content, web applications, or systems requiring robust character encoding support. The risk is exacerbated in environments where network traffic is not properly monitored or where attackers have access to network infrastructure capable of performing packet interception and modification.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1046, involving the use of network-based attacks to intercept and modify data in transit. The security implications extend to potential privilege escalation scenarios where modified unicode data could be used to manipulate application behavior or bypass security controls that rely on proper character handling. Organizations using this library should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 2.0.0 or later, which resolves the issue by implementing secure https connections for resource downloads, or implementing network-level controls such as certificate pinning or network monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized modifications to the unicode data streams. Additionally, system administrators should review their network configurations to ensure proper TLS enforcement and consider implementing automated monitoring for suspicious network activity related to unicode data downloads.