CVE-2016-10645 in grunt-images
Summary
by MITRE
grunt-images is a grunt plugin for processing images. grunt-images 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 • 02/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10645 affects grunt-images, a popular grunt plugin designed for image processing tasks within web development workflows. This tool operates by downloading binary resources from remote servers to perform various image manipulation operations, making it an integral component in many automated build processes and continuous integration pipelines. The security flaw stems from the plugin's reliance on unencrypted HTTP connections for resource retrieval, creating a fundamental weakness in the communication protocol that exposes users to significant security risks. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's download mechanism, which fails to implement proper certificate validation or secure transport protocols, leaving the entire system exposed to man-in-the-middle attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to intercept network traffic between the grunt-images plugin and its remote resource servers. When the plugin requests binary resources over HTTP, it operates without any form of encryption or authentication verification, making it possible for malicious actors positioned on the same network segment or between the client and server to perform traffic interception and manipulation. This weakness directly relates to CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. The attack vector specifically targets the insecure HTTP communication channel, where an attacker can substitute the legitimate binary resource with a maliciously crafted alternative that appears identical to the original but contains malicious code or functionality designed to compromise the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it potentially enables remote code execution capabilities for attackers who successfully manipulate the downloaded resources. When an attacker replaces a legitimate binary with a malicious one, the grunt-images plugin will execute the attacker-controlled code as part of its normal operation, providing an attacker with a foothold within the development environment. This represents a critical security concern for development teams that rely on automated build processes, as the compromised system could serve as a launching point for further attacks against the broader network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not just individual developer workstations but entire development pipelines and CI/CD environments where grunt-images is integrated into automated workflows.
Organizations and development teams should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability by transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS connections for all binary resource downloads, ensuring proper certificate validation is enforced, and considering the implementation of additional network security controls such as network segmentation and traffic monitoring. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which addresses the use of application layer protocols, by ensuring that all network communications utilize secure protocols and proper authentication mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict outbound HTTP traffic and enforce HTTPS usage, while developers should review their build configurations to ensure all external resource downloads are properly secured and validated against known good checksums or digital signatures.