CVE-2016-10615 in Curses
Summary
by MITRE
curses is bindings for the native curses library, a full featured console IO library. curses 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-2016-10615 affects the curses library bindings that interface with native curses console I/O functionality. This issue stems from the library's implementation of binary resource downloading mechanisms that utilize the unencrypted HTTP protocol instead of secure HTTPS alternatives. The fundamental flaw lies in the absence of cryptographic verification and integrity checking during the download process, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks against systems using the affected curses library. When the library attempts to download binary resources over HTTP, an attacker who can intercept network traffic can replace the legitimate binary with a maliciously crafted alternative. This modification occurs without any verification mechanisms to ensure the authenticity or integrity of the downloaded content, directly violating security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper network communication, and CWE-502, which covers deserialization of untrusted data that can lead to remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it can potentially enable full remote code execution on affected systems. An attacker who successfully substitutes the legitimate binary with a malicious one can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the process that downloads and executes the modified resource. This represents a critical security risk in environments where the curses library is used for system administration, terminal applications, or any scenario where trusted binary execution is expected. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on the curses library for console-based user interfaces and can compromise the integrity of the entire system if the downloaded binary is executed with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10615 should focus on implementing secure communication protocols throughout the affected systems. Organizations should immediately transition from HTTP to HTTPS for all binary resource downloads, ensuring that cryptographic verification mechanisms are in place to validate the integrity of downloaded content. The implementation of certificate pinning, secure hash verification, and digital signatures for binary resources provides additional layers of protection against this class of attack. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns and unauthorized binary modifications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1566 for credential access through network sniffing, making it a critical target for defensive security measures. The remediation process should include updating the curses library to versions that implement secure download mechanisms and conducting thorough security assessments to ensure no malicious binaries have already been executed within the affected environment.