CVE-2016-10634 in scala-standalone-bin
Summary
by MITRE
scala-standalone-bin is a Binary wrapper for ScalaJS. scala-standalone-bin 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-2016-10634 affects scala-standalone-bin, which serves as a binary wrapper for ScalaJS applications. This tool operates by downloading binary resources over unencrypted HTTP connections, creating a significant security weakness that exposes users to man-in-the-middle attacks. The fundamental flaw lies in the use of plaintext HTTP protocols for resource retrieval, which violates industry security best practices and creates an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-319 as the exposure of sensitive information via unencrypted communication channels, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where attackers may have the capability to intercept traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the binary wrapper's reliance on HTTP protocols for downloading necessary components without implementing proper security measures such as certificate validation or secure transport mechanisms. When scala-standalone-bin attempts to fetch binary resources from remote servers, the lack of encryption and authentication means that an attacker positioned within the network traffic path can intercept these requests and substitute the legitimate binary with a maliciously crafted alternative. This substitution capability directly enables remote code execution scenarios, as the attacker-controlled binary can contain malicious code that executes with the privileges of the user running the application. The vulnerability represents a classic example of insecure communication protocols leading to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a pathway for complete system compromise when attackers successfully position themselves within the communication channel. Users executing scala-standalone-bin on networks where such positioning is possible face significant risk of unauthorized code execution, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or further lateral movement within compromised networks. The vulnerability affects not only individual user systems but also enterprise environments where ScalaJS applications are deployed, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on automated binary distribution mechanisms. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, demonstrating how insecure communication patterns can enable broader attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10634 require immediate implementation of secure communication protocols throughout the application's resource retrieval process. The most effective approach involves transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS for all binary downloads, ensuring that certificate validation is properly implemented and that all network communications are encrypted using industry-standard protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attack attempts, while considering the deployment of network access controls that limit outbound HTTP traffic to trusted sources only. Additionally, application developers should implement binary integrity verification mechanisms such as cryptographic checksums or digital signatures to validate downloaded resources before execution, providing defense-in-depth protection against compromised binaries. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure communication practices and the need for comprehensive security considerations in all aspects of software distribution and execution.