CVE-2016-10618 in node-browser
Summary
by MITRE
node-browser is a wrapper webdriver by nodejs. node-browser downloads 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-2016-10618 affects node-browser, a node.js wrapper for webdriver that facilitates browser automation through the selenium webdriver protocol. This tool serves as an intermediary between node.js applications and web browsers, enabling automated testing and web scraping operations. The primary security flaw lies in the application's reliance on unencrypted HTTP protocols for downloading resources, creating a significant attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of secure communication channels during resource acquisition. When node-browser downloads required components or dependencies, it utilizes HTTP instead of HTTPS, which exposes the communication to interception and manipulation. This design decision violates fundamental security principles and creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can eavesdrop on network traffic, modify downloaded content, or inject malicious code into the resource streams. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be enforced in all network communication scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it can lead to complete compromise of the automated testing environment and potentially the underlying systems. Attackers who successfully execute MITM attacks can modify the webdriver components, inject malicious code into the automation framework, or redirect the browser automation to malicious endpoints. This compromise can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of test results, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where automated testing frameworks are commonly used for security validation and quality assurance processes, as it undermines the integrity of these critical security controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by enforcing HTTPS usage for all resource downloads and ensuring that node-browser configurations mandate secure communication protocols. The recommended approach involves configuring the application to use TLS-encrypted connections exclusively and implementing certificate validation mechanisms to prevent the acceptance of self-signed or untrusted certificates. Additionally, network-level protections such as DNS filtering, traffic inspection, and secure proxy configurations should be deployed to prevent unauthorized access to HTTP endpoints. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can exploit the insecure communication channels to establish persistent access or deliver malicious payloads through compromised download processes. The remediation strategy should also include regular security assessments of all automation frameworks and dependency management systems to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the software supply chain.