CVE-2016-10656 in qbs
Summary
by MITRE
qbs is a build tool that helps simplify the build process for developing projects across multiple platforms. qbs 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 resources with an attacker controlled copy 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 qbs build tool vulnerability CVE-2016-10656 represents a critical security flaw in the software development infrastructure that affects developers working across multiple platforms. This vulnerability stems from qbs's insecure handling of binary resource downloads through unencrypted HTTP protocols, creating a fundamental weakness in the build process that can be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically impacts the tool's ability to verify the integrity and authenticity of downloaded components, leaving developers unknowingly incorporating potentially compromised binaries into their projects.
The technical flaw manifests in qbs's failure to implement secure transport mechanisms for downloading binary resources, which creates an attack surface that aligns with CWE-319 - Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information. When qbs downloads resources over HTTP instead of HTTPS, it exposes the entire build process to man-in-the-middle attacks where an attacker can intercept and modify the data stream between the build tool and remote servers. This insecure communication channel allows threat actors to perform resource substitution attacks by replacing legitimate binary components with malicious copies that maintain the same file names and structures, enabling them to inject malicious code into the build process without detection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple network sniffing, as it can lead to full remote code execution capabilities for attackers who successfully position themselves within the network path. This represents a sophisticated attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, where attackers can leverage the compromised build environment to execute arbitrary commands on development systems. The vulnerability affects the entire software development lifecycle, potentially compromising not just the current project but also subsequent builds that might inherit the malicious components, creating a persistent threat that can propagate through multiple development environments and potentially reach production systems.
Organizations and development teams should immediately implement mitigations that include enforcing HTTPS usage for all qbs resource downloads, implementing network-level security controls such as SSL inspection and certificate pinning, and establishing secure build environments that prevent unauthorized network access. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure development practices and highlights the need for comprehensive security awareness training for development teams. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate successful exploitation attempts, while development teams should regularly audit their build processes to ensure all external resource dependencies are properly validated and authenticated through secure channels.