CVE-2016-10647 in node-air-sdk
Summary
by MITRE
node-air-sdk is an AIR SDK for nodejs. node-air-sdk 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-2016-10647 affects the node-air-sdk package, which serves as an Adobe AIR SDK implementation for Node.js environments. This package facilitates the downloading of binary resources through HTTP protocols, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure. The fundamental flaw lies in the absence of secure transmission mechanisms, specifically the lack of encryption and integrity verification during the binary download process. This vulnerability represents a classic man-in-the-middle attack vector where an attacker can intercept network traffic and replace legitimate binary files with malicious counterparts without the user's knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the package's reliance on unencrypted HTTP connections for downloading essential binary components required for AIR application development and execution. When node-air-sdk attempts to fetch resources over HTTP, it operates without any form of cryptographic protection or authentication mechanisms that would verify the integrity and authenticity of the downloaded binaries. This design choice directly violates security best practices and creates an environment where network-based attackers can manipulate the download process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through the use of unencrypted or weak encryption, and also relates to CWE-502, concerning the deserialization of untrusted data that could occur if the compromised binary executes within the Node.js environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, potentially enabling full remote code execution capabilities for attackers who successfully position themselves between the victim and the remote server. When an attacker replaces a legitimate binary with a malicious one, the compromised package can execute arbitrary code within the context of the Node.js application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The implications are particularly severe in development environments where developers frequently download and install various SDKs and packages, as these systems often operate in less secure network conditions. This vulnerability can be exploited across various network topologies including public Wi-Fi networks, corporate networks with inadequate security controls, or any environment where network traffic is not properly secured. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many development tools and package managers rely on similar patterns of insecure HTTP downloads, making this a systemic issue within the Node.js ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10647 must address both the immediate security gap and broader architectural issues within the package management ecosystem. Organizations should immediately transition from using HTTP-based downloads to HTTPS implementations that provide encryption and authentication guarantees through certificate validation. The recommended approach includes implementing certificate pinning mechanisms where possible and ensuring that all binary downloads are verified through cryptographic checksums or digital signatures. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-level protections such as DNS filtering, traffic inspection, and secure proxy configurations to prevent unauthorized binary substitution. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to ATT&CK framework techniques such as T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential access through network sniffing. Additionally, organizations should enforce secure coding practices that mandate the use of secure transport protocols and implement automated security scanning for package dependencies to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party libraries. The remediation process should also include comprehensive network security audits to identify and eliminate insecure HTTP connections throughout the organization's infrastructure.