CVE-2016-10652 in prebuild-lwip
Summary
by MITRE
prebuild-lwip is a module for comprehensive, fast, and simple image processing and manipulation. prebuild-lwip downloads resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10652 affects the prebuild-lwip module, which is designed for image processing and manipulation tasks. This module operates by downloading resources over HTTP protocols, creating a fundamental security weakness that exposes systems to man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability stems from the module's failure to implement secure communication channels for resource retrieval, leaving network traffic susceptible to interception and modification by malicious actors positioned between the client and server.
This security flaw represents a classic implementation of CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through inadequate protection of communication channels. The prebuild-lwip module's reliance on unencrypted HTTP connections creates multiple attack vectors for threat actors to exploit. When the module downloads resources over HTTP, all transmitted data including configuration files, dependencies, and potentially sensitive information becomes visible to attackers who can intercept, modify, or inject malicious content into the communication stream. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041, which covers data compression and transmission methods that can be exploited for information gathering and manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as attackers could potentially modify the downloaded resources to include malicious code or backdoors. This creates a significant risk for systems that rely on prebuild-lwip for image processing workflows, particularly in environments where security is paramount. The vulnerability affects any system using the module that connects to untrusted networks or public internet connections, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments or applications handling sensitive data. Attackers could leverage this weakness to compromise the integrity of the image processing pipeline, potentially affecting downstream applications that depend on the processed images.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing secure communication protocols throughout the module's resource retrieval process. The most effective approach involves transitioning from HTTP to HTTPS for all resource downloads, ensuring that cryptographic protection is applied to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Additionally, implementing certificate pinning mechanisms and validating SSL/TLS certificates can further strengthen the security posture. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The module should be updated to include proper error handling for failed secure connections and implement fallback mechanisms that prioritize security over functionality when secure communication cannot be established. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented mitigations remain effective against evolving attack techniques.